DOVER- Could changes be in the works at Butterfield Common? Not for now. But Edie Mas, owner of Butterfield Community Co-op LLC, is seeking to develop a nature library and community space, possibly to include a coffee shop or cafe, on land the BCC now owns, located at the Butterfield Common site across from Mount Snow. On Tuesday, the selectboard gave its approval for a feasibility study.

Mas has applied for a technical assistance grant under the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Business Enterprise Grant Program. Mas was seeking the selectboard’s support, which would assist her in the application process.

The selectboard wrote a letter on behalf of Mas. The letter stated the selectboard “supported (her) vision over the past nine years to create a community in Dover where housing is affordable, and (her) experience in bringing together the appropriate resources to see this happen... . We support your plan to put together a consultant group that can carry out the feasibility study needed to determine the next steps toward making the (library and community space) a reality.”

Mas said there is potential for making it a viable business and one that is self-sustaining. Selectboard member Magnus Thorsson agreed with Mas and he also thought the project would dovetail nicely with the Dover Valley Trail project.

Thorsson said a nature library and community space would complement the Valley Trail and strengthen town efforts to attract more tourism. Mas added that the Dover Free Library board of trustees is interested in participating in the project but provided no specifics. The selectboard also passed a motion to support the feasibility study.

Windham Solid Waste representative Phil Bartlett spoke with the selectboard about additional hauling fees for garbage removal. Bartlett said Windham Solid Waste’s revenue from recyclables decreased significantly from $71,000 to $7,000. Bartlett said the sharp decline was due to falling metal prices. Prices were high in the summer but dropped off significantly during the winter.

To make up for the lost revenue, Windham Solid Waste is asking haulers to charge $17.55 per ton for services they provide. The other option is to charge an assessment by municipality. Bartlett said the assessment is the better way to go because haulers are given the extra task of collecting money. According to Bartlett, that isn’t necessary for the haulers.

“They have to pick up all the trash in town. They’ll have to sort it out, weigh it, and bill wherever they pick it up. It’s going to be a big hassle for them,” said Bartlett. “If we go with the total assessment, with no surcharge, it costs the town $23,491. The town may be $5,000 cheaper, but individuals who have their trash picked up will get billed the surcharge.”

Bartlett suggested that the $23,491 assessment cost be added to the town budget as a line item and should reflect the new budget number at Town Meeting. The selectboard approved the motion.

The selectboard also approved a motion to inform Dover residents they must register their fire alarms. Fire chief Rich Werner said they received several false alarms in the past year and many of the alarms were not registered in the town. Werner said there is no way to force Dover residents to register their fire alarms, so Werner asked the selectboard to get the word out that they must be registered or pay a $10 fine. The selectboard agreed to do so.