ALFRED — Voters will decide Thursday whether to spend $400,000 to buy a 53-acre property on Kennebunk Road. About 150 people crammed into Conant Chapel for an informational meeting Tuesday, with some attendees overflowing into an ante-room. The session drew vocal opposition to the proposal.
Some said the land purchase and eventual construction of a town hall ”“ itself pegged at more than $1 million ”“ is too expensive. Some said they wanted Town Hall to remain downtown, and others wondered why there was a rush to buy the property.
Selectmen were first approached about the property in July. Notices of Tuesday’s informational session and special Town Meeting, set for 7 p.m. Thursday at Alfred Elementary School, were mailed out one week ago.
Selectmen John Sylvester and Glenn Dochtermann have said they believe buying the land is a good opportunity but said the decision is up to the voters. Selectman David Burns is acting as his parents’ agent and has recused himself from the discussions.
Neither selectmen nor the budget committee are making a formal recommendation. Budget committee member and town treasurer Fred Holt said the budget panel heard a presentation Monday and felt it would be wrong to make a recommendation in such a short time frame.
While the property totals 53 acres, about 24 acres is buildable because of zoning restrictions. The property includes a 1795 Federal-style farmhouse and an attached barn. Selectmen have said in addition to an eventual town hall, the tract would allow relocation of the salt and sand shed from Depot Street and for walking trails ands other recreational uses. The property boasts 2,000 feet on the Littlefield River.
Selectmen authorized architect David Joy to examine the property and prepare a report. Joy said the house needs roof work and paint and that the 40-by-60-foot barn has some splayed columns. Joy has recommended that if a town hall were to be built on the site that the house be retained for other purposes and the barn taken down.
“If you had a bundle of money and wanted to restore it, it would be a great piece of property, but the main focus is the land,” Joy said.
Sylvester and Dochtermann have both indicated that any plan to build a town hall would be two or three years into the future.
Resident Claudia Fuschillo said the land purchase and construction of a town hall will impact property taxes.
“Raise your hand if your water bill is too low,” Fuschillo urged the assembly. “Raise your hand if your property tax is too low. Raise your hand if in this economy, the value of property is too high.”
Hands shot in the air.
Sylvester noted that Alfred’s tax rate has risen just 15 cents per thousand of valuation in the past four years. He said the $12.70 mil rate can’t be compared to lower rates in other rural towns that have popular lakeside frontage.
Holt said if voters approve, the town would bond $200,000 and take $100,000 from the undesignated fund and $100,000 from the Capital Improvement Fund to buy the property. Holt said the town has a surplus of $1.7 million.
Resident Dolly Burns Guinard, who was raised on the property, said she’d love to see it remain a farm, but believes the property is “a steal” at $400,000. She said if the property went to a housing developer, it would mean more children in school and higher property taxes.
The town’s comprehensive plan encourages single family homes in the village district, where the parcel is located, said resident Tony Palminteri. He pointed to the Nov. 3 TABOR II and excise tax referendums, which could see the town lose income. According to Maine Municipal Association, Alfred will lose $200,000 of the $500,000 it earns in excise tax if that referendum is approved.
“I suggest the town look at forming a committee to determine which direction the town wants to go in,” said John Caramihalis. Resident Susan Dean agreed.
“This piece of property is available now and there’s a deadline to act,” said Sylvester. He said a committee to examine the decision in advance of a vote wouldn’t work. “This property will be gone,” he told the assembly.
“If Burns can sell it ”¦ he should,” said Gary Fuschillo. That led to a heated exchange between the two men.
While town officials said it was their understanding someone was “waiting in the wings” for the property if the town doesn’t act, family member Bob Burns said he knew of no offers.
“I’m befuddled why this is happening so quickly,” he said.
Resident Caramihalis said the housing development company where he works as an estimator was approached by the Burns family. He said the company would have to do more research before making an offer.
The town owns land parcels on Depot Street which could be used for a town hall, selectmen pointed out and four acres surrounding the fire and rescue building on Kennebunk Road, which could also support a town hall. As well, selectmen have talked with the Brothers of Christian Instruction about land on Route 202. Neither parcel owned by the Brothers could support a town hall complex, according to Codes Enforcement Officer Francis “Red” Chalmers.
— Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 or twells@journaltribune.com.
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