Durham Still Split Over White Farm

Sue White is still determined that White Farm should be returned to her family, while Durham's Board of Selectman maintain that the land should be left for the town to restore. Residents, as a result, are forced to pick sides on the issue - something that First Selectwoman Laura Francis does not want. 

"What I'm asking you is to give us a chance," Francis said to White during a meeting Monday night . "I don't want this to be an issue to divide the town over whether the town should own this property or the White Family should own this property."

The Board assured White that the Conservation Committee and Public Works have a better relationship, which would allow Public Works to appropriately address issues on the White Farm property. 

Public Works Kurt Bober explained that the Conservation Commission had told him not to touch the property in the past when he was trying to clean up fallen trees. 

Selectman Jim McLaughlin thanked White for "riling everyone up," but added, "We ought to take care of our problems as a town. We have a moral obligation to fix this."

White responded, "Why is there any obligation to say 'We have a plan'? You and I both know it's not going to happen when you don't even maintain the fire house," said White in reference to the state of the town's volunteer ambulance corps headquarters at 205 Main Street. Earlier in the meeting Chief of Service Tom Wimler addressed his concerns to the Board about the disrepair. 

Some residents in attendence attested to the White Family's dedication to repairing the farm, while others demanded the town come up with a solution for all of the property in town experiencing land or structural issues. 

The discussion came to a close with Selectman John Szewczyk proposing that the town keep the land, but that White provide guidance to the Conservation Commission in the restoration process. She considered the proposal, but did not make a decision.