As a longtime resident of New Salem Center, I want to amplify some of the points raised in your front page article on Jan. 15 regarding the proposed New Salem Museum.
While I’m sure unintended, the impression one gets from the article is that the out-of-town owners innocently and simply hope to “display their art collection for all to enjoy and host some private events.” The abutters on the other hand, who are appealing an issued special permit, “have not been pleased” and come across as disgruntled NIMBY resisters. But the situation is more complex.
I can’t think of anyone in town, including the abutters, who do not support the idea of a small museum and arts academy as was originally proposed by the owners. Many of us feel it will be a welcome addition to the town and cultural resource for the region.
However, it wasn’t until well after the project was underway that it was revealed that the owners also intended to use the facility as a commercial destination venue for large weddings and corporate retreats. For many of us, the owners were disingenuous about their full intentions from the outset, and it felt like a bait and switch.
Why would a small art museum need the extensive top of the line commercial kitchen they are building if not primarily for the commercial venue enterprise? Many of us wonder, is this really a museum that intends to hold a few functions, or primarily really a large wedding destination venue with an art museum setting as the motif?
The building sits right on our small Town Common, in an historic district surrounded by private homes. The idea of having hundreds of out-of-towners descending on the town center on a regular basis to hold wedding parties into the night is completely inappropriate for this setting and runs counter to the quiet 19th century small town sensibility that the center offers.
Contrary to the suggestion made that “the owners did not see this coming” with regard to the recent community pushback, serious concerns regarding the commercial destination venue aspect of the project were widely expressed throughout the community nearly a year ago, and detailed formally in a letter signed by many and submitted during a public hearing in August.
While the owners often present themselves innocently as a couple who simply want to “share their art collection,” it should be understood that the reality is this is a multi-million dollar construction company that has come into our small town with its volunteer Planning Board, and forged ahead with their plan before providing much detail, or gaining necessary permissions. Large-scale construction was well underway before they bothered to apply for a special permit, resolve environmental requirements, detail a viable parking plan, and in violation of setback and height ordinances. Even at this late date, some of these issues are yet to be resolved.
While I am not party to the details of the abutters’ legal appeal of the issued special permit, I hope that they are arguing that holding any large commercial events such as weddings at this facility in this location is inappropriate and ought to be strictly limited.
David Skillicorn is a resident of New Salem.