Deerfield Panel Delays Church Removal RFP
Other Committee · Meeting of April 15, 2026
Deerfield committee reports five developers toured its former church and rectory site, then delays a demolition RFP. Committee members Carolyn Ness, Pam Predmore, Blake Gilmore and Kathy Sylvester joined chair Lily Dwight in reviewing the site visit, where one developer discussed building around 30 units. Town staffer Alex said Deerfield's new designation as a Rural and Small Town Housing Community of Choice "opens another grant opportunity" with no local match required.
Estimates put relocating the church at $225,000 to $275,000 and the rectory at $130,000 to $160,000. Members voted to hold off drafting a removal request for proposals until after town meeting, citing limited staff capacity and an unresolved regional senior center vote in Sunderland set for April 24, tied to a roughly $600,000 override. The panel also approved its prior minutes 5-0 and plans a Notice of Interest for demolition funding.
In the full story:
- The complete report — 954 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of April 15, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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