21 Highland future‑use committee releases interim state assessment; report due June 30

The 21 Highland Street Future Use Committee submitted an interim current‑state assessment to the Select Board and reported the findings to the Recreation Commission. The committee emphasized it is not recommending a single future use yet; instead it is documenting the building’s present condition and developing evaluation criteria for possible options.

Committee members said the building’s initial assessment shows it is “in pretty good shape” and not immediately a money pit; the committee plans additional structural and feasibility work and will seek input from the facilities manager before final recommendations.

The committee report — provided to the commission and expected to be posted publicly — notes that some outcomes depend on the results of the NHERI school and Finn school ballot decisions (May 10 and May 13). The committee said it will hold building tours, solicit public input on uses ranging from leasing to community use to nonprofit housing, and expects to deliver a final recommendation by its June 30 deadline.

The commission asked the committee to clarify wording on its webpage about building condition and the status of the playground (noting that playground equipment cannot be physically moved but could be replaced at another site). The committee agreed to amend the webpage language and include more accessible materials such as a video tour to broaden public engagement.

The committee said it will request recreation’s current usage data (registrations and scheduling) to inform the analysis and noted it will post the interim report for public review unless commissioners provide feedback.