Deerfield Panel Raises Church Archive Estimate to $35,000
Other Committee · Meeting of September 9, 2026
Deerfield's Ad Hoc Senior Housing Committee raised its preliminary budget for archiving the former Saint James Church to $35,000, up from $20,000, ahead of a Nov. 1 Community Preservation Committee deadline. Member Carolyn Ness pushed the increase, saying she wanted "to make sure we have all the documentation and everything correctly." The panel also weighed a proposed program matching college students with seniors needing in-home help, with member Blake Gilmore cautioning that "this thing would have to be set up" through an established University of Massachusetts Amherst office rather than informally. Pam Predmore warned "it's going to be a rough heating season," citing New England heating-oil reserves roughly 40 percent below normal.
The committee's separate senior housing proposal was before the Select Board the same night; no outcome was known by adjournment. Both procedural votes, on minutes and adjournment, passed unanimously, 4-0.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,172 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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