The meeting started at 8:30 AM. Present were Karen Hambleton, Scott McCaskill, and Select Board member Chip Meany. Maria Storm attended, and Andrew Pinard joined for five minutes or so near the end.
The main discussion centered on the use of the Bradford Area Community Center. There are already groups that rent space there, like the Community Action Program (Meals on Wheels), the Mountain View Senior Center, and Freyler’s Driving School. The freezers used by CAP are downstairs while the kitchen is upstairs, and there was discussion of whether and where they might be moved.
The two rooms on the upper floor are set up differently, one appropriate for an educational setting, the other more appropriate for dining and social activities, and the group discussed whether they should remain as they are, or changed somehow. There are already some groups interested in the spaces; New England College has asked about hosting some classes there in the past. More groups would bring in more rent.
There was also discussion of what to do with the lower floor. There is the possibility of using it to house the police, which might save the rent paid for the current police location, but the amount saved would make a negligible difference in the town’s tax rate. The bottom floor might be better used, for example, as a youth center, a preschool, or a community craft space.
In talking about what other kinds of activities might be hosted at the BACC, Chip brought up the White Birch Center in Henniker, and suggested that we have a look at their activities, and how they manage funding. Scott to contact Rusty at WBC.
The question came up of what kinds of activities the property’s deed allows. Although originally granted for “school purposes” in the early 20th century, the building has seen many different uses since then. We recommend that the Select Board seek a legal review of the deeds and other documentation, to determine what restrictions may exist.
Toward the end of the meeting, there was discussion of how the Town Hall theater might be used in the near future. Currently, no money has been budgeted for fitting out, there are no seats, and only minimal equipment.
The meeting ended at 9:51 AM. The next meeting is scheduled for 20 June at 8:30 AM.
Minutes by Scott McCaskill