LYNDEBOROUGH – Some temporary repairs will be made to the Town Hall in Lyndeborough Center including installing new gutters, grading the ground away from the building and the exterior enclosed, but the building will remain open for use. Yellow caution tape will close off the backstage area where water has damaged the floor and foundation.

Road Agent Rick McQuade told the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, June 1, that he and his crew would return to the building “now that Memorial Day is over.” He said they had “opened up more space, back to what we think is the extent of the floor damage. The old chimney is just sitting on the floor. It doesn’t go through the roof and should be removed. We can shore up the floor and then do the outside. “

That chimney served a woodstove that is no longer there. The building is heated by a furnace at the front using another chimney.

Building Inspector Leo Trudeau said, “Now is the time to consider the needs of the whole building including repairing the windows. When do those get addressed and budgeted? What is the long term goal?”

Selectman Bob Howe said, “We need to determine what needs to be done, the costs, and look for some grants.”

The board has approved “up to $5,000” for preliminary work.

McQuade asked, “Is it worth doing a temporary repair, using plywood?. Should we leave it open so we can monitor it? See if we are keeping the water out?”

He said, because of the ledge at the rear of the building, which was erected in 1845,” We probably can’t keep all the water out.”

He said, what excavating is done, will have to be done by hand. Work will begin on Monday, June 6.

The use of modern materials and water barriers was discussed, rather than using historically accurate materials which would again be affected by the water..

In other business, McQuade said, “Because of increases in fuel costs, the paving plan has been changed.” The original plan included the 2nd N.H. Turnpike and New Road. The new plan covers Cram Hill and Johnson’s Corner Roads, which are “in worse condition.” A new culvert is required on Cram Hill.

It was agreed to use “up to 70 percent of the paving budget on Cram Hill,” reserving the rest to cover unbudgeted fuel costs.

The board decided to approve a contract with Masonry Arts, Ltd., for repairs to the walls of the salt shed.

Insurance will cover $22,000, Town Administrator Russ Boland said, “leaving $36,000 for the town of cover”

McQuade said a new storage building for salt is planned “for the next two years,” and the present area would be used to house vehicles.

Boland said the last application for use of Local Equipment Matching Grant Program funds was denied. The selectmen suggested a new portable radio for emergency use.

“The Town Administrator needs that capability.” Board Chairman Fred Douglas said. “Departments need to be able to communicate with each other.”

Boland will file that application.

Boland noted that parking problems have come up again at Lower Purgatory Falls.

“The police issued 68 tickets during May,” he said. Visitors to the Falls are ignoring No Parking signs and parking on both sides of Purgatory Road making access by emergency vehicles difficult.. Options include towing cars or stationing an officer there.

It was decided to again tow illegally parked cars. The information will be posted on the town and police department websites.

“We will support the police,” Douglas said.

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, June 15, 6 p.m., in the town office.