COLRAIN — About 20 special town meeting voters gave the Selectboard unanimous approval to start a process that will lead to transferring the town’s history museum, the G. William Pitt house, from the Selectboard to the Colrain Historical Society, pending state approval.
The Pitt House was left to the town in the will of the late Historical Society founder, G. William Pitt, provided the property be run by the society and used as a town history museum. But as repairs and handicap-access upgrades have been needed, the Selectboard and the Historical Society have not agreed on who should pay for them — the town, as the building owner, or the Historical Society, which manages it. This summer, both boards agreed that transferring the property to the Historical Society would be best, but the process requires several legal steps. The first was town meeting approval, which happened this week. The transfer of the property to the Historical Society will also need approval from probate court.
Several residents asked why the article doesn’t mention the Historical Society; it just asks voters to allow the Selectboard to “convey” the property “on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, as the Board of Selectmen deems appropriate.”
Selectboard members said writing the Historical Society into the warrant article would muddy the legal issues, but that the two groups already have an understanding that the property will go to them.
“Is there anything in this wording that would prevent you from selling it on the open market,” asked Historical Society President Belden Merims.
“People in the Historical Society, nothing has changed,” said Board Chairman Mark Thibodeau, “so you don’t have to worry – because this is the way it had to be done.”
Because utility companies are revaluing their assets in a way that reduces their town personal property taxes, voters agreed to spend $7,500 for a utility appraiser for the Assessor’s Office.
Assessors Chairman Nick Anzuoni said utilities are using a new method of property valuation that could lead to a significant loss of town tax revenue.
The Griswold Memorial Library will be getting its basement windows redone, now that voters have approved spending $11,300 from the Library Capital Stabilization Fund for that project.
Townspeople also approved money transfers to spend $3,500 for an upgrade of the town website, $5,500 for consulting services related to post-employment benefits, and $10,236 to pay back the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for what was an overpayment made to the town for the repair of damages caused by Tropical Storm Irene in 2011.
They also granted two permanent utility easements on Adamsville Road.