CHARLEMONT – The owners of the vacant Charlemont Inn must obtain a loan by Nov. 3 to fix the condemned property and make agreed-to repairs by Jan. 1, or risk losing the historic inn to a court-appointed receiver.
According to a civil action agreement signed in July, Charlemont Inn co-owner Charlotte Dewey was given 120 days to get a loan for $185,176, which would pay for several building improvements. If specific repairs are made and the building is compliant by Jan. 1, the Board of Health could hold a public hearing and drop its condemnation order. But if Dewey doesn’t meet the terms of the agreement, the Franklin County Housing Court can appoint a receiver, without holding another hearing. The agreement was signed by Dewey, health board Chairman Douglas Telling and their respective lawyers.
Dewey said she hopes to have the first floor of the historic inn up and running by year’s end. On Facebook, she posted: “The tavern, restaurant, banquet room will be opening year-round with both casual and fine dining, music and excitement.”
When asked if she has received the repair loan, Dewey said, “We’re working on a couple of good prospects” and hope to have (the money) within the next three weeks. Otherwise, it’s going to be very sad.”
Since 2015, the health board and Dewey have been in and out of Housing Court over Board of Health orders and extended deadlines for repairs. Although the inn is privately owned, it is an iconic landmark, and town officials have been concerned the building could be undermined, if repairs aren’t made.
The inn was in continuous operation from the late 1770s until 2011, when it was foreclosed on for back taxes owed to the Charlemont Sewer District. Dewey repaid the taxes and regained the property.
In 2015, the Board of Health condemned the 22-room inn, citing state sanitary code violations and structural damage from roof leaks. In 2017, after some repairs and many hearings in Housing Court, the Board of Health lifted the condemnation order for the newly renovated kitchen, so that Dewey could run a catering service and generate revenue to fix up more of the inn. Telling said her catering permit expires Oct. 15.