Town will keep a piece of history from trading barn

By Stuart Hedstrom 
Staff Writer

    DOVER-FOXCROFT — During a Jan. 12 meeting, the selectmen approved a $6,500 bid from Eastwood Contractors of Brewer for the demolition and the removal of materials at the old trading barn near the edge of the new Browns Mill Park on Vaughn Street.

Observer photo/Stuart Hedstrom

    PENDING DEMOLITION — The old trading barn by the Browns Mill Park parking lot in Dover-Foxcroft will soon be torn down. As part of the agreement with Eastwood Contractors of Brewer, the town will be able to keep the building sign and at least six knees from the structure and a half dozen timbers.

    As part of the approval that was granted, Town Manager Jack Clukey was going to discuss with the contractor the possibility of the town being able to keep some items from the demolition. Possibilities mentioned included the front sign as well as some of the building’s supporting knees.
    When the selectmen met again on Jan. 26, Clukey reported that the demolition contract with Eastwood Contractors was set to be signed later in the week. Per the agreement the contractor agreed to provide a minimum of six knees and six timbers and the trading barn sign, all without a change in the $6,500 price.
    In 2013 the Browns Mill Park was formally opened to provide four seasons of recreation space for the community, after a great deal of grant-funded efforts went into cleaning up the former tannery site. The trading barn had become dilapidated and dangerous, with demolition of the structure needed. The barn currently has mesh fencing around much of the perimeter with “no trespassing” signs posted on each side.