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It's rare that community members and village leaders are able to come to a consensus in the Village of Newton Falls.
That's why we are both surprised and pleased to see folks here settle on a plan to seek grants and fundraisers in an effort to repair and reopen the village community center as swiftly as possible.
More than 20 people attended this week's town hall meeting and came to an agreement on fixing and restoring the community center that has been closed after falling into disrepair.
The nearly two-hour town hall was hosted by the sites and structures committee, which provided an update on what has been done and what will be done next at the center.
The center once served as a USO building, and resident Julie Lemon said it is one of only a few left in the nation.
"We have a treasure here that needs to be celebrated," Lemon said.
Indeed, if it can be salvaged, we agree that it should be, provided that it is done cooperatively and without draining the village's bank accounts.
Village Manager Pam Priddy said the newly formed committee has been working to secure available grants for restoration and asbestos removal.
"We are going to move forward and do what we can to get it fixed and opened as fast as we can," Priddy said.
She said first on the list are repairs to the center's floor, asbestos removal and plumbing repairs.
Priddy said costs for repairs are being reviewed, but asbestos removal is estimated at $120,000, with $60,000 for flooring and pipe work.
Yes, repairs to the historic building are extremely costly. But grant funds will help make those expenses more manageable, and cooperative fundraising efforts also are being planned in earnest.
"Right now we want to move forward in getting that building fixed up. We have to forget what happened in the past and move forward to get it restored. There are people who want to use that center for weddings, showers and other events," committee member Matt Meszaros said.
Good!
That attitude is so often lacking in debate and discourse in the small river town.
Let this be the start of more positive thinking and cooperating in the village.