Town Council Approves Public Hearing for Heidi Drive, Begins Formation of Elmhurst School Reuse Committee

The following are votes and actions taken by the Town Council at Monday evening's meeting:

• The Town Council voted to approve a fee-waiver for the Portsmouth Abbey School for the fire department's safety inspection of a new dorm. The fee was waived to $3,500 after a 4-3 vote with Councilors Hubert Little, Karen Gleason and Jeffrey Plumb opposed.

• The Town Council unanimously voted to approve permission for organizers to hold a block party at the Island Park Playground. The block party will be held on Oct. 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the playground. The event will feature sack races, pumpkin painting, food, a pie-eating contest and more.

• After a lengthy discussion, the Town Council voted 4 to 3—Little, Peter McIntyre and James Seveney in opposition—to grant a public hearing for residents to discuss the abandonment of Heidi Drive. The hearing will be held on Oct. 7. Mark Liberati, attorney, voiced his concern over the hearing, saying there are "serious legal issues involved." "If we abandon the road, then the owners name us in a lawsuit in Superior Court. If we don't abandon the road, then the other party names us in a lawsuit," said Councilor Plumb. "Either way, we're going to court. We're getting sued. There's more lawyers in this room tonight than regular folk."

• Another lengthy discussion was held on whether or not to formalize an Elmhurst School Reuse Committee. This board would discuss the future use of the now closed Elmhurst Elementary School. The Town Council, after much debate over whether there were too many committees in town, assigned the task of forming a list of potential committee members to Town Administrator Robert Driscoll. The town administrator will work with the Glen Manor House Authority to form a list of potential residents for the board, as well as develop a mission statement and charter. "I think this whole thing is bogus," said Councilor Gleason during the debate. "We don't need a formal committee." "This is not something that is going to be handled at Dunkin' Donuts," said Councilor Dennis Canario. Richard Wimpress, acting chair of the Glen Manor House Authority, spoke before the council, asking them to appoint a committee. "We really feel like it's your decision to make," Wimpress said. "This will be a serious committee and you have to take it seriously … You have to enthusiastically support the committee if you want Elmhurst school to be vital to the community."

Town Administrator Driscoll also announced the following in his report to the council:

• There will be no lifeguards on duty at Sandy Point Beach during the weekdays from now through Labor Day.

• The date for the special referendum election has been set for Oct. 5. Further details are expected soon.

• Driscoll recommended that the Town Council lift the ban on golfing at the Glen Farm special events field. "If you want to continue golfing, my recommendation is at the Glen Farm special events field," he said. The Town Council previously banned golfing at the fields; however, it has not been enforced to date. Golfing continues at Glen Farm and there is no signage advertising the ban on golf. The Town Council spoke briefly about this matter, but took no further action. "I'll take your silence as confirmation you want us to enforce the ban," said the town administrator.

The next meeting will be held on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m., when the council will reconvene for a Wastewater Management Plan Workshop.