This pile of what is apparently demolition debris from an old building was dumped last week at the Putnam Pond Boat Launch by unknown persons. The Road Crew removed the material, and the Police Department is looking for whoever left it.

LYNDEBPOROUGH – It is important to preserve the town’s old buildings, Selectman Chairman Fred Douglas said at the regular meeting of the board on Wednesday, June 15.

To that end, emergency repairs are being made to the former Town Hall in Lyndeborough Center, which was built in 1845.

The foundation and floor at the northwest corner were damaged by storm water run-off.

Some of the ledge at the back of the Center Hall has been removed by the Highway Department as a start to improving the drainage away from the building. Gutters have been installed at the back and along one side.

Road Agent Rick McQuade said his crew would “move ahead with the repairs, remove some more of the ledge.”

Building Inspector Leo Trudeau cautioned about the use of a jack hammer. “Some of the (window) glass is as old as the building” and vibrations could shatter it.

McQuade said they would start with “low-impact.” The building will remain open for use as a community center with the backstage area roped off.

Funding for repairs is being sought. It is too late to apply this year for a state LCHIP grant, Town Administrator Russ Boland said, but a comprehensive plan for the building can be submitted next year.

Selectman Mark Chamberlain said the so-called Joslin Field behind the Town Hall and Town Pound is in need of mowing. Trudeau said he will speak with two people who have done it in the past for the hay.

Trudeau said it is not a “good productive hay field” but it was agreed that it needs to be kept open.

The paving plan for Cram Hill Road was approved with Advance Paving for a cost of about $134,900. Parts of the road will be reclaimed, and two culverts replaced.

An earlier contract with Advance was cancelled because of the rising costs. The town roads will be re-evaluated.

Boland said he has submitted a grant for $49,000 for police portable radios to Local Equipment Matching Grant Program.

What appears to be a dump truck load of demolition debris from an old building was dumped by unknown persons at the Putnam Pond Boat Launch. The Highway Department will clean up the area and the Police Department is investigating.

Boland mentioned the idea of digitizing town records as several area towns are doing.

“Heaven forbid if something should happen to Citizens’ Hall,” he said. While the oldest and irreplaceable documents are in a vault, the rest of the town’s records are vulnerable. About 90 percent of them could be digitized

Digitizing the records would make them easier to retrieve as well as safe, Boland said. “It is expensive to do, but something to think about.”

The next meeting was set for Wednesday, June 29, 6 p.m., in the town office.