Selectboard enacts moratorium on non-town meetings at Town Office

The Windham Selectboard voted to impose a moratorium on non-town meetings at the Town Office, citing security concerns after recent outside groups used the space. Michael Pelton said the change is intended to limit meetings to those 'called by somebody who works directly in the town office or by the Selectboard.'

George Dutton moved for the moratorium and the board carried the motion. The policy as approved bars use of the Town Office for gatherings not organized by town staff or the Selectboard; Michael and others distinguished that this is different from instances where a town employee invites a group for official business (for example, the treasurer meeting with the Women's Civic Organization about the harvest supper). The board did not adopt a permanent written policy in this session but enacted the moratorium as an immediate restriction and directed staff to follow up on drafting formal language.

The action followed an agenda change that added Town Office use under New Business. The board plans to formalize rules and clarify permitted uses in a future meeting. The moratorium takes effect immediately; the Selectboard did not record an expiration date during this session.