HADLEY — Voters in fall 2014 emphatically gave the go-ahead to town officials to put the North Hadley Village Hall on the market, ensuring that Hadley would no longer be responsible for the ongoing costs of maintaining the 19th century building.
Now, with more than four years elapsing since that vote, the town continues to own the 239 River Drive property, and may be no closer to selling it. That’s because Town Meeting on Thursday, by majority vote, rejected removing the protection, under Article 97 of the state Constitution, on the green space next to the historic building.
Select Board Chairman Christian Stanley said Friday the decision, which went against the board’s recommendation to swap protection on the 1-acre ballfield and put a similar protection on the 6-acre Zatyrka Park, means that a new direction needs to be determined for disposal of the property.
“We have to talk as a Select Board, see what we want to do and what our options are,” Stanley said.
The two-story building, originally constructed as a schoolhouse in 1864, also has an attached 1950s-era two-bay garage.
“We’re anxious to do something there,” Stanley added.
The building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and considered a contributing element to the village center, is now mostly vacant, with fire vehicles and equipment all that remains. Previously, the Hadley Park and Recreation office was on site, as well as a branch municipal library. The fire department will stop using the space once a new fire substation, to break ground this summer, is complete.
Stanley said seeking removal of the Article 97 protection was always going take some time, because it was uncertain how soon the Legislature would act.
In January, the town approved an arrangement with Stiles & Dunn and asked the real estate firm to prepare to list the property for $299,000.
The town came closest to selling the building in 2016 when local landlord Joel Greenbaum bid $72,000 and developed plans to convert the site into apartments. But the deal fell apart, even when Greenbaum offered $25,000 in compensation to the town for using the ballfield, likely as parking. The deal was further complicated in October 2016 when the town approved a new fire substation that was planned for that open land before the town purchased a different parcel further north on River Drive.
The property is considered one parcel, with the building and land connected, but even dividing out the green space wouldn’t help with the sale, Stanley said. The Planning Board would likely require sufficient parking for any use of the building, which wouldn’t be possible without using the ballfield.
Stanley said he expects for now that Hadley will continue to market the building, but could also begin exploring its demolition or potential renovation, which was estimated at $1.5 million in 2012 but would likely be around a $3 million project now.
His colleagues on the board have been uncomfortable with spending money on upkeep, with the town doing just enough to make sure the pipes don’t freeze. Board member Joyce Chunglo said three years ago that she was “not willing to have the town put another penny” into the building.
Whatever plan develops could be presented to voters the next time Town Meeting convenes.
“Hopefully by fall we could have options for its future,” Stanley said.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.