Topsham community center committee finalizes pre-planning documents

The Topsham community center committee reviewed and edited its pre-planning documents, including a gift range chart and campaign narrative, during a September 28 meeting. Members agreed to present an update to the select board and to decide later whether to seek release of a design RFP and authorization to organize fundraising. A resident warned that taxpayer concerns about the project's operating costs will be a major hurdle.

Key points

• Committee members agreed to lower the gift range chart goal to $15 million and to exclude the estimated $7 million pool cost, which would be handled as a separate fundraising effort.
• Members removed "full facility" and "overall center" from naming opportunities, moved the gymnasium up, and dropped the pool from the list.
• The group reordered language to lead with social and community connection, and added "for seniors" to the healthy aging item to reflect feedback asking for a focus on older residents.
• Mark reported he is drafting proposed changes to the TIF statute to allow the funds to be used for recreation buildings, hoping to get it to the legislative delegation before the next session.
• A resident said opposition exists over the cost of running the facility and rising taxes, and urged the committee to highlight operational costs and revenue.
• The committee confirmed the next meeting for October 21 at 5:15 p.m. and adjourned at 6:17 p.m.

Next steps

• Allison and Lynn will draft the select board presentation, with edits from this meeting incorporated.
• Mark will work on the TIF statute language and share a sample design RFP so a draft could be ready for the October meeting.
• The committee will decide at its October 21 meeting whether to target the first or second November select board meeting for its update.

Read the full transcript