Committee seeks town warrant to match potential $750,000 preservation grant for 1856 Monmouth Academy

Steve Melwood, who identified himself as a committee member working on the 1856 Monmouth Academy restoration project, briefed the board on finances and requested the Select Board include a warrant article to raise $187,500 as the town’s matching share if the group is awarded a $750,000 grant.

"I wrote up a warrant article ... to raise and appropriate the sum of $187,500 for the purpose of matching a federal or state grant of $750,000 to complete the 1856 Monmouth Academy restoration project," Melwood said, adding roughly $70,000 remained in local funds.

Committee members and residents asked when matching funds must be available, whether previously spent money could count toward the match and whether the community can raise the local share. Melwood said grant applications require evidence of the match and that the town would deposit funds in a reserve account and not spend them unless the grant is awarded.

Several board members and residents urged caution. One resident pointed to past unsuccessful citizen votes on funding for the project and questioned continuing to ask taxpayers for contributions. Another attendee raised concerns about contractor billing and unfinished work after reviewing invoices and the building site; committee members said those items are on a contractor punch list and the committee has pursued corrections.

Supporters said the grant would leverage a larger amount of outside funding and that failing to apply could forfeit a time-limited opportunity. Board members asked the committee to return with clearer fundraising commitments and close-out plans if the board is to move a warrant article forward.

There was no formal vote to place the article on the warrant during the meeting; the board asked staff and the committee to clarify matching-fund mechanics and fundraising plans before making a final decision.