COLRAIN — Will special town meeting voters allow the Selectboard to transfer ownership of the town-owned G. William Pitt House and its grounds to the town’s Historical Society? A special town meeting may provide the answer on Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Town Office.
The Selectboard has offered the property to the Historical Society, but would first need town approval, followed by the approval from Probate Court to break the trust established in Pitt’s will. Pitt left his home and grounds to the town on the condition that it be used as a town history museum run by the Historical Society, which he founded. The article asks the town to let the Selectboard convey the land “on such terms and conditions, and for such consideration, as the Board of Selectmen deems appropriate …”
The warrant also asks voters to transfer $11,300 from the Griswald Library Capital Stabilization Fund to pay for restoration, re-glazing and sealing of the library’s basement-level windows.
In 2015, special town meeting voters appropriated $28,882 to buy and demolish the “blue block” at 3 Main Road. However, that property was purchased by another owner, who now will pay for the demolition of the building, which was badly damaged by a truck last year, in a fatal accident. Voters will be asked to re-appropriate that money for the following expenses:
$5,500 to pay for actuarial and consulting services.
$3,500 to upgrade the town’s website.
$10,236 to repay the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency for an overpayment by that agency to Colrain, for damages related to Tropical Storm Irene.
The town will also be asked to spend $7,500 from the Assessor’s Stabilization Fund for consulting services, and to authorize the Selectboard to grant two utility easements on Adamsville Road.