Community forum sheds light on Town Hall options

Selectman Ben Thompson gives residents an overview of options regarding possible renovations to the town's Old Town Hall at the corner of Heath and Center roads on Saturday during a community forum at the Lebanon Elementary School. (Harrison Thorp photo)

LEBANON - About 30 Lebanon residents turned out for what is hoped to be the first of many informal community forums scheduled to discuss the important issues facing the town.

While enjoying complimentary coffee and cookies residents were able to ask questions freely and without restrictions as Selectman Ben Thompson guided residents through a slide show presentation regarding possible options regarding the ongoing rehabilitation of the town’s Historic Town Hall.

While the old town hall and former library at the corner of Heath and Center road may have sentimental value to the town, it is not officially a “historic” structure, Thompson explained.

Lebanon voters approved some $60,000 worth of renovation to the building several years ago only to find out it was only the first of several phases and would entail more taxpayer funds to make it usable.

Last June residents rejected a second phase of construction.

Saturday’s discussion was mostly to get a sense of where the town might want to go in the future with the renovations, including options to do nothing and leave it as it is, which is unusable, to fixing up all three floors of the building so that all could be used.

ADA compliance is seen as the biggest cost factor, as wheelchair accessible ramps and bathrooms would likely be required for all doors and bathroom throughout the building, no small or inexpensive task in such an antiquated structure.

Forming a committee to further study the options was proposed and might be acted on in the future, however, the biggest point of Saturday’s forum was to at least get the conversation started.

Thompson also brought residents up to speed on the state’s repaving project for Route 202 in Lebanon this summer, which will include the installation of center line rumble strips along most portions of the highway where the speed limit is 45 mph or higher.

Rumble strips, which some neighborhoods have opposed for being noisy, have proved effective in reducing highway accidents and deaths throughout the state of Maine and across the nation.    

Lastly Thompson let residents know about a community fund-raising effort currently under way to help pay for repairs to the town’s Rescue Department headquarters in South Lebanon.

Residents can drop off money donations at the Town Office on Upper Guinea Road through May 1 if they want to help with the effort.

For more information contact the Town Offices at 457-6082.