Dateline: Sep. 16, 2025

No need for kvetching about the sign

You may have noticed the new digital sign in front of the old Allenstown Elementary School (AES) on Main St. Some residents apparently made the wrong assumption, went there to do some business, and then complained on social media. As a result, it was then covered up. The selectmen's original plan was to install digital information signs at the police station, fire station, and town hall. The first two were installed but the last one was held up until the town finally took possession of AES. So please continue to visit the current town hall for all your business needs. The new town offices may not be open for business until next August.

Acquisition of AES took quite a while. It all started in late December 2024 when Melaine Boisvert appeared before the select board and reported on the cost of maintaining the elementary school (AES). The annual cost was $17,092 with the SAU renting space for Pre-K classrooms and paying $30,000/yr. Diane Adinolfo asked the BOS to convene a meeting with the school board and SAU officers to discuss what to do the AES.

At a joint meeting of the select board and school board on January 2, 2025, the pros and cons for the sale were discussed for about an hour but no action was taken. A Purchase & Sale Agreement was drafted and went back and forth between the two boards until Town Administrator John Harrington announced on February 24th that the school board finally signed the P&S Agreements for AES and ARD. ARD was on a different path since the church had 60 days to exercise its Right of First Refusal.

Two required public hearings were held on March 10 and March 24. At the first one, resident David Gleich read a lengthy statement questioning the validity of purchasing AES. Several other residents spoke in favor of the purchase. At the second hearing, residents Ron Adinolfo, Keith Klawes, Michael Frascinella, and others promoted the idea. The select board admitted that their decision was also tempered by opinions made privately by other residents.

After the public hearings and a waiting period, the select board voted on April 2nd to purchase AES from the school district for $1.00.

In mid July, Melaine Boisvert reported on the findings of the study committee on AES. She reviewed the negative aspects of selling the building, and then the positive factors concerning turning AES into town offices. The committee voted 9-0 to convert AES into town offices after which the selectmen approved the committee's findings.

At the end of July, the selectmen approved a document created by Selectwoman Diane Adinolfo. Se explained that "This document establishes an Ad-Hoc Advisory Committee to review and report to the select board on the transitioning of the AES into the New Town Hall/Community Facility."

Several department heads and committee members comprise the new committee. The Building Inspector, as committee chairman, is to identify necessary conversion tasks, coordinate committee meetings, review vendor quotes, and obtain approvals from the select board. The intent is to keep spending within the $450,000 in the New Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund. The current target date for completion is August 2026.

At the August 11 selectmen's meeting, the AES Transition Committee recommended installing a key swipe system for the doors, replacing lock cylinders for external doors, and purchasing a PC to operate the key swipe system. Mr. Harrington had difficulties getting quotes so he recommended that the board waive a one-time $10,000 RFP requirement and approve payment to All Safe Locks in the amount of $10,543 for door controls and various parts needed to ensure safe operation of the key swipe system at AES. This was approved and funds were to come from the New Municipal Building Capital Reserve Fund.

In mid September, Mr. Harrington told the selectmen that "An HVAC vendor is to perform an evaluation of the building's aging heating system and make recommendations." Also, f you drive by the school, you might notice that the Highway Dept. has restriped the parking areas.

What You Can Do

If you want to stay informed about the conversion process, avoid the rumor swamp of social media. Try one of these:

• Attend the selectmen's meetings and ask questions.
• Use the TextMyGov widget on the town web site to ask a question.
• Scan the minutes of the latest selectmen's meeting published on the Board of Selectmen's web page.
• Write to any of the selectmen via their link on the Board of Selectmen's web page.