Windham council advances November ballot questions, weighs tax-acquired properties

The Windham Town Council held public hearings and approved three referendum questions for a November 3, 2026 special town meeting, including a charter change to move budget voting to secret ballot and a $19.5 million bond for a community center at the former middle school. The council also renewed several junkyard and amusement permits, set election logistics, and discussed next steps for two tax-acquired properties, agreeing to sell 520 River Road while continuing to weigh options for 239 Windham Center Road.

Key points

• The council approved three referendum questions for the November 3, 2026 special town meeting, covering a charter amendment on budget voting, a charter amendment on town meeting actions, and up to $19.5 million in bonds plus up to $2 million in fund balance for a community center project at Windham Middle School.
• Councilors approved the amended General Assistance Ordinance after a councilor noted a typo in the maximum benefit table, which the town attributed to a scrivener's error.
• The council renewed a special amusement permit for Microtel Inn and Suites and junkyard permits for Windham Auto Recycling, Stephen Rogers, Auto Mill LLC, and Jeffrey Whitney, all described as routine with no issues.
• The council set poll hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Windham High School for November 3, 2026, approved extended voter registration hours for October 29, and kept the current MMA voting delegate and alternate in place.
• On tax-acquired properties, the council reached consensus to sell 520 River Road and to gather more information, including appraisal figures and insurance costs, before deciding on 239 Windham Center Road, with some councilors favoring holding it near the school campus.
• Councilor Dave Cook raised concern about a tax-acquired property whose owner has not paid taxes since around 2006, saying the town should pursue such cases even when occupied.

Next steps

• The town manager will send a response letter to the Mineral Spring Estates Owners Association and meet with the winter road contractor next month to address excessive sanding.
• Staff will return with more information on 239 Windham Center Road, including ballpark value, insurance cost, and back taxes owed.
• The town will begin the 90-day notice and realtor listing process for 520 River Road.
• A ribbon cutting for the treatment plant is scheduled for October 8, 2026, at about 2 p.m.
• The WDC business gathering is set for September 30 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Eric's Church.

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