| Joanne Cole |
Comments at the microphone were divided, but the vote was not. At Monday’s Special Town Meeting, New Gloucester residents overwhelmingly embraced the chance to expand recreational and community space with a lease of the Pineland Athletic Facility.
The first vote—whether to accept a $200,000 gift from Planson International for the facility lease—passed 234–55, with one blank ballot. That set the tone for the night, as voters also decisively approved a second $100,000 Planson donation for building repairs and authorized the Select Board to negotiate and enter into a two-year lease with Pineland’s Libra Foundation.
After adjournment, a smiling Parks and Recreation Director Sarah Rodriguez said, “I’m really happy to know what the residents want to do with that property.”
Later, Connie Justice, of donor Planson International, shared her thoughts. “I appreciate deeply the petitioners, staff, recreation committee members and elected officials who brought about last night’s special town meeting. Maine’s local government process worked: over the past few months, residents did receive the detailed information they needed, and last night almost 300 voters expressed their wishes directly.”
Justice continued: “The supportive votes were thrilling. My family, with three generations here in town, will be the first to sign up for programs at the new community recreation center at Pineland next year. Thank you, New Gloucester!”
Earlier, in an overview presentation preceding the votes, Rodriguez had described the Pineland opportunity as a “low-risk, high-reward step” that would “dramatically expand program capacity, reduce inefficiencies, and increase community access to fitness, youth, and senior activities.”
Rodriguez recapped the project’s background, noting that the town first approached Libra Foundation about leasing the facility after the YMCA’s departure in 2022. When Libra’s outdoor center closed in 2025 and Planson International came forward with proposed donations, discussions with Libra began in earnest.
The meeting booklet included recreation program projections and revenues, anticipated operating expenses, reports about the condition of the building, and more that Rodriguez addressed. The projections show that expanded program offerings will raise revenue to help support utilities and costs in the new building, she said. “I don’t want to say that this project would never need a tax dollar ever – I don’t think that’s fair. However, I think with the gift that’s on the table, we could use that time to see what’s possible and how well supported it was through the community and determine if this is something for the long term.”
Fourteen residents then spoke during 30 minutes of discussion. Among supporters, the word “opportunity” was the common thread, including across generations. Younger residents mentioned activities for their parents and older neighbors; older residents emphasized the programs for youth and families that the Pineland facility could support.
Financial questions dominated the concerns expressed by others. Speakers questioned whether the $100,000 Planson donation would be adequate for ventilation repairs and other work, and whether issues might emerge in subsequent years that would be the town’s responsibility. General budgetary concerns and anticipated needs already in the fiscal pipeline were also mentioned.
Perhaps speaking for the majority, resident Paul Gillis acknowledged some inherent risk in moving forward but said Planson International’s $200,000 and $100,000 gifts made the risk low and limited. If there’s an issue, the town can choose to walk away with 30 days’ notice, he noted.
“It’s an opportunity for the town to operate the facility for two years at very low cost, very low risk. And in two years if it doesn’t pan out the way everybody expects, we’re done. If it turns out to be as good as I think it’s going to be, then we can move forward and have confidence and know what our parameters are for moving forward,” Gillis said. “It’s like a free trial.”
“I’m very astounded that we have this opportunity – I don’t think we should forget what’s on the table – astounded that anyone cares about the community that much, and I want to support it,” said Gillis.
With discussion done, the first vote, on the $200,000 gift, was conducted by secret ballot. It took more than 30 minutes for the standing room only crowd to deposit their written ballots and clerks to tally the count. The remaining three articles passed swiftly by show of hands and cards, with little comment.
The unusually high turnout reflected deep community interest in learning about and weighing in on the Pineland facility and mirrored the citizens’ petition effort with more than 380 verified signatures that brought the meeting about. Cars and trucks lined both sides of Intervale Road, and the 7 p.m. meeting start time came and went with voters still filling the hallway of Memorial School.
In all, 294 voters checked in, the clerks said. Attendance at annual town meetings in May has hovered between 100 to 150 in recent years, and even fewer for special town meetings.
As soon as she was sworn in, Moderator Terry Hayes commended residents. “You take the ticket,” she said, declaring New Gloucester’s the largest town meeting she will have moderated this year. This was her eighth, she said. “I’m very impressed,” Hayes said, scanning the room. “We’ve run out of chairs.“ Voters lined the walls of the gym when Interim Town Manager Brad Plante called the meeting to order at 7:15.
While Monday’s vote marked strong support, the process isn’t over. The lease agreement is under negotiation, and details are still to be decided, Town Attorney Kristin Collins told the meeting. In addition, the New Gloucester charter requires leases to be ratified by a ballot vote within 75 days, she said. A public hearing must be held before the confirmation vote. Dates have not yet been set.
The meeting’s outcome signaled broad confidence in the project and in the community. If the upcoming lease vote echoes Monday’s results, New Gloucester can look ahead to a recreation and community center for all to enjoy on the Pineland campus.
