Fiscal restraint guides selectmen's decision

NORWAY — Just because something is a good idea does not always mean that you have to do it.

The Norway Board of Selectmen honored this principle last Thursday night, when it decided against purchasing a garage on Grove Street, even though members agreed that it could be useful. The building measures over 3,600 square feet and includes a three-bay garage. It could provide extra storage and office space.

In addition, the town's Highway Department is having problems with the roof of their current garage.

Though they agreed that it would be convenient to own, the board and town manager did not feel they could justify the purchase given the town's financial position.

"I think it has a lot of potential uses," said Selectman Russell Newcomb.

Nonetheless, town leaders decided that making a purchase of this scale would simply be too much to ask from the town of Norway. The price of the building is listed at $499,000.

"I just can't go to town meeting and ask the town to buy another property," said Newcomb. "I would be more excited for a new business to move in there."

"As much as it would be nice to go and pursue this and see if it is viable for the town to buy it, the money just isn't there," said Chairwoman Irene Millett of the purchase.

Bill Damon and Warren Sessions Jr. both agreed that more space would be nice, but that it was beyond the town's ability to purchase the building, making the sentiment unanimous.

As well as the cost of the building, the town would also incur renovation costs, as municipal buildings are required to fulfill certain standards that private residences are not.

"Utilizing old houses for municipal use is difficult because we have to make them handicapped-accessible." said Manager David Holt.

"There are also new building codes and in particular for public buildings there are a lot more requirements," echoed Millett.

In lieu of a new building, Holt reported that he and Road Commissioner Ron Springer would both like to make repairs to the current Highway Department garage a priority in the coming year's budget. There have been problems with leakage from the building's roof. Springer and Holt plan to look into the cost of repairs and report back to the board and the budget committee.