SPECIAL TOWN MEETING to discuss Community Center at 900 Pine, November 8, 2021 by Zoom – Notes by Gretchen Diefenderfer

Chair Emma Dirolf called the meeting to order and inquired about having a town meeting without a quorum of the town council.  Gretchen replied that it seems that we can have a meeting to exchange information, but can’t take any votes, which was the intention anyway.  No quorum does mean it’s not an official town meeting.

Present on Zoom were: Chair Emma Dirolf, Debra Yeager, Secretary Gretchen Diefenderfer, Karen Simmons, Leslie Finn, Peter Swift, Fire Board Member Boyd Brown, Marcus Moench, Elisabeth Caspari, Janos and Rebecca Wilder, Val Crist, Rick Sheingold, Joanne and Dick Cole, Peter Swift, Steffi Wilson, Fire Board President Rich Lopez, Virginia Schultz, Dina Elder, Julie Carpenter, Kris Gibson, Deepika Avanti.  Please let me know if I missed anyone.

Janos asked about the survey and Marcus summarized the results.  Approximately 70%+ replied  that a Community Center would be a good thing, with the highest percentage supporting a combination Firebarn and Community Center (CC).  50/50% split on 900 Pine for a CC with lots of comments and concerns from neighbors.  Results were all over the place on other sites.  For the total survey results, https://goldhilltown.com/community-center-survey-results/   The Friends of the GH Community Center’s plan would be to sell it to the town at their costs plus 2%.  Marcus added that to get State funding for a new station requires including community space.  Boyd added that the Fire Board is convinced that having the community involved and included is the way to go. 

Emma asked for questions from the community since the open house at 900 Pine on Oct. 24.  Karen Simmons had two: #1 What is our reaction to the appraisal? and #2 What do we think of the size as sufficient for a CC?  Marcus reported that the appraisal came in at $350,000 in its current condition and seems in the ball park given the obvious repairs necessary, which include a septic system estimate of $30,000 to 35,000 from Max, Joe Jacobs estimate of $12,300 for a new roof, and Robert Mazurkiwicz’s estimate of close to $20,000 for electrical  (immediatesafety concerns have been taken care of).  These figures were known by the appraiser.  There is a current well and it’s unclear if it’s recorded or legal – it’s a 30-40’ hand dug well with no known problems.

            Re #2, Gretchen replied that it is a small building, but seems big enough for our town meetings and some other uses (whenever we meet in person again).  The lot is large and beautiful with lots of room for an addition or even something like a barn for larger gatherings, plus some off-street parking.  There is a bathroom and kitchen in the house.  Val added that it does seem a little small without any changes.

Janos asked a couple of things – Has the immediate neighborhood been polled and are they ok with it, have we gotten any estimates for other work or repairs, and what about parking?  Boyd said that  his opinion is that a lot (a majority) of the adjoining neighbors do have real concerns and are not very happy with the prospect – there are a couple in favor. Marcus added that restrictions on use and mitigations could help with concerns.  Boyd thought there could be some parking at the back of the lot, but there is still concern about congestion in town.   Also, if the site is changed to meet town needs, the County may require access, etc. – what about water quality, outdoor lighting, facilities, the kitchen – hidden costs.  Leslie said that Marcus had reported to the town that the change from residential to public use wouldn’t be a problem, but she’s concerned about ADA, fire safety, etc.  The town is zoned Historic, which is somewhat undefined.  Marcus replied that further estimates have not been done for ADA access etc.  Major changes would require a full architectural design eventually.

            Regarding parking, Rick, who was a resident of Pine Street for 25 years, doesn’t see that this facility would contribute more than the businesses in town do when they have events and the parking is all up and down Pine.  Boyd said that it has to do with Pine St. as a residential area and the business area is Main Street.  The concern is forcing commercial impacts into this residential area.  Rick added that he’s not sure it would be different from the present and a lot less often, and Boyd conceded that there is already a problem, but this would be another additional contribution.

            Elisabeth suggested that the town, when considering uses, would surely try to address concerns and balance uses with the greater good.  Leslie expressed concern about the great list of possible uses and so many extra curriculars.  Marcus replied that that list was just brainstorming about possibilities and added that the building would be owned by the TM and uses would be regulated by the TM with input from everybody on agreements and restrictions on uses and times.

            Peter said that the County would probably come up with parking requirements, but when he was Chair, he noted that quite a lot of people do walk to the firebarn and he saw no big overflow of cars parking into the neighborhood.  He agreed that the list of uses was to see what the interests were.  He agreed that the use of 900 Pine seems minor in comparison with the regular situation in town.

            Leslie wondered about necessary structural repairs.  Marcus replied that the main interior, the foundation, and basement are dry and sound per Dan Maedke’s professional assessment and we have no estimates on any other modifications.

            Kris added that given the present overall parking situation and emergency access problems, 900 Pine would hardly have more impact.  She would love to see estimates of costs associated with any necessary County upgrades.  Peter suggested that we pick the top three uses people suggested and check on County requirements and associated costs.

Emma noted a question in the chat wondering if there are reasons the firebarn doesn’t work as the community center.  Peter reported that a number of years ago he was asked to do a structural analysis of the firebarn.  The concrete flooring has failed, the bathroom is unusable, there is no ADA compliance, and during the flood of 2013 water actually flowed underneath the concrete floor.  Gretchen added that the town originally built the building to be both a firebarn and community center, but then the fire department ended up owning the building and we can only use it with permission.  Many of us have felt strongly for a long time that  it would be nice to have our own space that we could make our own decisions about.  Boyd replied that it’s not so much a permission thing – just mainly scheduling.  Peter added that previously, during emergencies, the school has been opened up so a separate community center would be terrific for unfortunate occurrences like fires.  Deb also noted that, in response to Boyd, anyone can usually schedule the upstairs, but if there is a fire call or other emergency we’d have to vacate.  It’s not ideal for that reason.  And for Peter’s comment, with our own space we would have more options and could store emergency supplies and food.  And, she agrees that we would like to have our own space and not be at the mercy of having to vacate when there is an emergency response going on with the fire department. The blend of the two uses of the upstairs can be inhibiting.   Marcus added that if a new firebarn becomes a reality, a lot of the limitations regarding community use could be addressed.  Funding for a new firebarn is a whole lot easier if it includes community space.  Kris has heard that there are concerns with liability around the use of the firebarn upstairs.  Leslie replied that whoever uses it has to have their own liability coverage or arrange with the town meeting to be covered under theirs

            Rich weighed in by saying he has certain disclosures: he was the attorney involved in the purchase of 900 Pine – drawing up the papers and filing them, etc.,  plus  he is the board chair of the GHFPD.  In terms of use of the building, people email him and Chris and it’s usually granted unless there is a conflict with trainings, etc.  The bathroom is in a bad location and probably forever unusable.  The solution has been the Porto-san out front.  Peter’s assessment is accurate.  It’s a great old building not easily possible to do more with.  It’s true that the townspeople built the firebarn for both the fire department and as a community center but, ironically, the people who owned the land conveyed it to the fire department so we’re in charge.  That’s a fact.  The board does have a tremendous  interest in working with the community on combined community and fire department uses.  At a previous board meeting, Sue Schauffler, Secretary of the Lefthand Fire Department, came and reported on their process building their new station.  Rich had worked with them developing the plan.  If we go with DOLA to help with funding (LH received $1 million of the $3 million cost from DOLA), a community function has to be included which requires working with the community.  There are no definite plans yet for a new building,  but the fire department does want to provide the best service to the town to make everyone safer and respond to emergencies.  As far as 900 Pine, he loves the building and the lot and of course it could be a community center.  There is room for parking in the back and, if the town owns it, they can control the uses. Looking at the price and the appraisal, it looks like a favorable deal.  Boyd would add that a new firebarn has been in ongoing discussions.  It looks like they will have a special election in the spring to raise the department mill levy to help support the fire department.  They are very serious about upgrading to take the fire department in a viable direction and will be asking the district to approve an increase.  They are actually in planning for improvements and eventually a new building.  What are our priorities?  Fire safety and emergency response.

At this point, Emma announced that it’s 8:06, we appreciate all the wonderful participation and there are a few more questions in the Zoom chat: can the indoor bathroom at the firebarn be used? Not really

            Boyd had questions about the financing of 900 Pine – how realistically has this been assessed as far as usage and maintenance costs.  Also, if the town decides not to purchase, do the Friends of the Community Center have a commitment to the community for the sale?  Marcus said that the approach at this time is that our priority is to sell to a family (or individual) invested in the town for residential use.  We already know a lot of couples/individuals who are interested.  The exact mechanism will probably need advice from an attorney.  When we bought it, our goal was to benefit the town whether as a community center or a private residence.  If it does go to the town, we could use it in the interim as a CC for community functions, even for ideas like parking the fire department UT there, and eventually, if the fire department does finalize plans for a new building, 900 Pine could help with fundraising for a joint building for the community and the fire department.

More questions can be sent to the Friends of the Gold Hill Community Center, the Fire Department, or the GHTM.  Questions about how it would be renovated is beyond the scope of the Friends and would be for the town to decide.

A vote on whether the town wants to buy 900 Pine is planned at the December 13 GHTM.  A motion will have to be made, seconded, and voted on by all eligible voters attending the meeting.  The question arose regarding whether the Friends of CC could vote and Gretchen ventured that it could  be a conflict of interest for her as a member of Friends as well as secretary of the GHTM and she would recuse herself –  perhaps we should ask the GHTM at the time. 

Further questions? Send to gretchend@nullmac.com or call, and I will relay them to the appropriate person/entity.

Respectfully submitted, Gretchen Diefenderfer, Secretary of the GHTM