Selectboard opts to demo 51 State St.
BELCHERTOWN – The Selectboard voted to demolish 51 State St. and turn it back into lawn using ARPA funds.
“In accordance with...directions from two weeks ago, we looked into a grant from the Mass. Cultural Council for the repair or renovations of cultural facilities. Unfortunately, the town is not an eligible entity,” Williams said. “The building has to be 50,000 square feet or more than 125 years old—so the threshold is pretty high for municipalities.”
So, the town is at a junction, Williams said, no funding source and roughly half a million dollars’ worth of repairs.
Two weeks ago, Williams brought a quote for the repairs to the board.
Williams provided information on the estimated $485,000 in building repairs, which included the following:
$150,000 for roof replacement
$50,000 for a boiler replacement
$90,000 for bathroom renovations
$45,000 for HVAC repairs
$100,000 for window and door
replacement
$35,000 for exterior siding
$15,000 for flooring repairs
In that meeting, Williams said there are bids at the moment. The quotes came from architects used on many town projects, in-house estimates and previous quotes.
He said his concern is that once the work begins on the building, all the projects will need to be done.
A new building on the other hand, would cost the town about $1.4 million. Demolition was quoted at about $50,000.
On Monday night, Selectboard Chair Ed Boscher said his position hadn’t changed, he believed the best course of action was to demolish the building.
Selectboard member Jen Turner said, “just because the grant was something the town couldn’t pursuit didn’t mean that we should give up.”
“My biggest concern is that we knock it down and nothing happens,” she said. “These restrictions are only for municipalities. If a nonprofit were to apply, they just have to have cultural connection.”
Selectboard member Peg Louraine said she understood Turner’s concern about the empty lot, but the current circumstances aren’t ideal either.
“The building is not attractive as it is and it’s not going to get any more attractive just sitting there,” she said. “I’m inclined to say, let’s take a deal. I don’t want anyone using it, it doesn’t feel safe to me.”
Selectboard member Ron Aponte said he believed it would be the final nail in the coffin for 51 State St.
“As indicated, it’s only going to get worse, the bad news would be demolition costs,” he said.
Louraine asked what demolition would actually mean.
“We’re going to just knock it down and leave a hole in the ground? We’re going to knock it down and scrape the area and seed it?” she asked.
Williams said the intent of the project would be to “disconnect utilities, electricity, cable, TV, water, and sewer. Remove the foundation—the building is not on a full foundation, it’s on a slab. So, we remove the first walls…most of the internal plumbing is in the floor. Then it would be backfilled and seed would be added in the spring.”
Selectboard member Lesa Lessard Pearson asked if the area could be used for something.
“It could be used for certain types of recreation,” Williams said.