Editor’s note: The article has been updated to correct the figure for average monthly operating expenses at the former Pineland YMCA facility in recent years. The correct amount is an average of $6,500 per month, as the supporting information shows, not $7,500. I apologize for my error. ~ J.C.
The Select Board on July 7 will take up familiar items—draft RFPs, bid awards, a job description—along with an unusual one: considering a donation from Planson International that would enable the Town to lease the former YMCA facility at Pineland at no cost for two years to explore its potential for recreation and social activities, office space, and other community uses.
Also on the agenda: continuing concerns about gunfire at the Town’s former gravel pit on Morse Road, detailed in a resident’s letter. And those RFPs, bid openings and awards.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in the Meetinghouse and will live-streamed at this link.
Proposed Pineland Athletic Facility donation and lease. Topping the July 7 agenda is consideration of a proposed $200,000 gift from New Gloucester business Planson International that would enable the Town to lease at no cost the former YMCA facility from Pineland’s October Corporation for two years.
The lease would include the building with its gym, offices and other rooms, as well as rights to use Pineland’s trail system, the lawn in front of the building, parking lots and other areas. Parks and Recreation’s summer camps and other programs and activities could happen onsite, and the facilities could provide space for staff and for community meetings and events, according to a letter from Planson International senior adviser Connie Justice to Town Manager Bill Kerbin proposing the gift (pp. 46-47 in the meeting agenda packet).
The October Corporation strongly supports the proposal, which would also provide “breathing space” for the Town and the organization to explore longer-term community use, a priority for The October Corporation, according to Justice’s letter. The Town would have no obligation to continue beyond the two years, however.
The proposed lease terms apparently parallel The October Corporation’s prior arrangement with the nonprofit YMCA and call for a base rent of $1,000 a month plus expenses that have averaged $6,500 per month in recent years (pp. 48-81). The estimated total cost of $90,000 per year, and a cushion for unexpected expenses, would be covered by Planson International’s $200,000 donation.
In addition to the proposed donation and lease, the Select Board is slated to consider whether the board can accept the gift or a special town meeting would be required. With Planson International’s Connie Justice now serving on the Select Board, she proposes to recuse and answer questions at this stage as a donor and “rejoin the board” to finalize any lease (p. 48).
Impact on neighbors of explosions, gunfire at town-owned former gravel pit. Complaints about shooting at the Town-owned former pit on Morse Road have been raised previously at the board. This time, a letter from a resident describes in detail the impacts on their family and neighbors of ongoing shooting, explosions and automatic gunfire that can occur multiple times a day and after dark. The letter asks the board to take action, including limiting the hours and prohibiting explosives (p. 82).
RFPs, bid awards. Other July 6 agenda items include proposed RFPS for
- a new Public Works’ pick-up truck (pp. 15-22)
- a Transfer Station roll-off container (pp. 23-29)
- repairs to the Transfer Station building (pp. 30-33)
With departmental recommendations in hand, the board will consider awards for
- a tractor/mower for Building & Grounds (p. 34)
- a UTV for Fire Rescue to access trails and off-road locations for rescues and firefighting (p. 44)
- Fire Rescue Tank 2 refurb work (p. 45)
Public Works Director job description. The board will consider a revised job description for the Public Works Director position that incorporates changes requested at the last meeting (pp. 35-43).
Find the full July 7, 2025, agenda, including reports from the Manager and department heads, and more, at this link.
Public comments may be submitted by email before 10 a.m. on Monday, July 7, to townmanager@newgloucester.com and smyers@newgloucester.com. If you want your written comment read aloud, please indicate that in the subject line.
Find contact information for Select Board members and links to meeting agendas, minutes and related documents at this link.
— Joanne Cole
