Jim Leiterman: Moultonborough Article 9 passage a 'golden opportunity'

To The Daily Sun,

Article 9 at this year’s Town Meeting is a vote for a modern, up-to-date community facility and recreation center that can accommodate town hall space needs tied up in one package. If Article 9 passes, the beautifully designed CruCon building will be the focal point and Moultonborough’s Community Center.

In 2007, Town Meeting passed Article 11 to purchase the Lion’s Club for $495,000. Since then, Moultonborough residents have failed to agree on or pass numerous plans for a Community Center, all costing much more than the facility that’s been offered to the town and well below what it would cost to build today.

Sale of the Lion’s Club 18+ acres could be used for needed housing and replenish monies used to purchase CruCon.

This is a Community Center that residents will be proud of and it will not break the bank. Over the years, at least $192,500 was appropriated, expended, and literally wasted on several Community Center proposals, and all were defeated.

This year, will voters approve Article 9 for $4.6 million which includes closing costs and funds to retrofit the building known as CruCon at zero taxpayer cost and finally put this saga to bed?

If voters pass Article 9 at the March 14 Town Meeting, CruCon will not only be home of the Recreation Department, Meals on Wheels, Women’s Club and men’s breakfast programs but also Town Hall functions. All of the programs, events and private functions currently held at the Town Function Hall will have a beautiful new home. A no vote means continued paralysis. Why would anyone vote no when this golden opportunity is within our grasp for zero taxpayer cost?

Please attend the Saturday, March 14 Town Meeting, at 9 a.m., at Moultonborough Academy and vote yes on Article 9.

Jim Leiterman

Moultonborough