Reflections On

Municipal Bldg.

In the article printed in the Feb. 21 Herald concerning the moving of the municipal building to the co-op building, one should give the following considerations.

1. The town will not own the building, only the area where the co-op was. Please read the article very closely.

2. The taxpayers voted to bond for the addition to the municipal building in November, 2004. The building committee was established in 2000. It will be eight years this March. Since this committee was established, members have resigned. There are only two members left of the original committee, Joyce Mazzucco and Patrick French. These two people are the two of the current committee members who want the municipal building to remain where it is. And they work there!

There is one question: Why has it taken so long for this committee to function? Granted, it took two years for the court system to react. There were six other years to date.

3. The article in the Feb. 21 paper said five of the seven building members are in favor of the move to Pleasant Street. There has not been a recent vote.

4. The article in the paper quotes Michael Penrod that the existing municipal building can be sold for $340,000. The estimated value of appraisal is between $180,000 and $200,000. That is a difference of $150,000 to $140,000. In this time period, with property prices, would that price be correct? If the building were to be sold, there would be the cost of removal of the vault.

5. Michael Penrod estimates offices to be ready at the co-op by the end of this year. It is only an estimate.

6. The article says construction estimates for Summer Street have probably risen substantially. Where are the figures?

7. The court made the ruling in favor of the town regarding the tree. If people would take a good look at that tree, it is held together by cement and it is not a healthy tree. It can not be brought up in court again; therefore it can be taken down.

Taxpayers should look at all the facts and estimates given in the papers and decide what is in the best interest for the town.

8. It stated in the article that the vote was 4-1 in favor of moving to the co-op. Ken Goss, who feels that the space at the co-op should be used for retail, has held firm with his belief.

As many of you know, there was an earlier vote, which was to remain at the municipal building with an addition. There were 396 votes, 223 yes and 173 no.

9. With the addition, there will be room for meetings and votes, which will cut down on the cost for rentals. The building will also be handicap-accessible.

One cost consideration: There are two positions coming up for replacements on the selectboard. Please vote for Joe Voci, who worked for the town and knows the "ins and outs;" and for Stephen Webster, who grew up in Randolph and has a real feeling for our community and has the ability and knowledge to size up situations for the good of our community.

Barbara Angell

Randolph

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