THE EAST VALLEY COMMUNITY HALL—CAN WE BRING IT BACK?

On July 12th, at 5:30 a public meeting will be held that may determine the outcome of a five-year effort by the East Valley Community Group to allow the opening of the East Valley Community Hall. Closed by the Town for repairs upon the deeding over of the property from the East Randolph Fire District to the Town, the building is the only publicly-owned location in the region that has been available to the public for events from free community dinners to private functions on a rental basis.

The East Valley Community Group spent several years raising funds to hire an architectural firm to provide a comprehensive assessment of the repairs needed by the building. On July 12th, the Selectboard will be holding a special meeting— within the Hall itself—to hear the architects' report and discuss this information with the public. The Board would also like to hear community comment on the building. Whether or not the Hall can be re-opened at all is an open question. What will the price be to keep the building?

It is important to the future of the Hall and, indeed, of East Randolph village itself, that all interested parties attend this meeting. The East Valley Community Hall is the keystone historic building of Randolph's East Valley, which includes the stretch of Route 14 along East Brookfield, North Randolph, East Randolph and South Randolph. It is a handsome building that has served the region for over 170 years. Its future is highly uncertain.

The meeting, called by the Selectboard, will be held on Tuesday, July 12th, at 5:30PM at the East Valley Community Hall, located on Route 14 south in East Randolph village. Tours of the historic Hall will be available after the meeting.

For more information, please contact Betsy Race at betsymac9@gmail.com.