SQUANNACOOK HALL RENOVATION Plan Defeated [with video]

Approval for rezoning from public use to residential use was the first or four articles for voters to act on a Concept Plan for reuse and renovation of historic Squannacook Hall into four units of rental housing and was passed by a majority vote but fell short of the 2/3 majority required for a zoning change. There were 84 yes votes and 62 no votes.

Three other articles related to Squannacook Hall were indefinitely postponed. Those included approval for the actual Concept Plan, sale of the structure to local builder and renovator Halsey Platt, and approval for the town to pay for installation of a Presby septic system.

Halsey Platt's proposal called for construction of three, one-bedroom units and one, two-bedroom unit that would be used as rentals. This would include nine off-street parking spaces for residents of the hall. Platt has extensive experience in old property renovation, having worked on over 100 homes in Groton. "We think this will work," Platt said, citing it as a viable reuse of the building.

Members of the Christian Union Church which abuts Squannacook Hall, however, raised a number of objections to the plan. They have been using a driveway and parking on the town-owned property and said that they were denied the ability to put parking behind their church because of wetland areas. They are concerned about where they will park, and additional parking needed for those who attend their suppers. They are also concerned that any work at Squannacook Hall would trigger site work on their property that they estimate could possibly cost the church money they don't have.

Platt said he met with church members, noting that they had benefitted from using the adjacent parking and that this, in fact, would change. He cited the amicable relationship he has with Union Congregational Church in Groton Center, for his abutting property there, noting that in this case the church owns the driveway and was very open to sharing the entrance. "We restore old buildings. This is our business," he said.

There have been other successful renovations in the West Groton village area, as Selectman Chairman Peter Cunningham pointed out, including the former "derelict" Hale Nursing home that was converted into condominiums for people over age 55. He said that the developer has planned the best use of Squannacook Hall to complement the downtown. Cunningham stressed that the Request for Proposal (RFP) had been out for some time and urged church members to work with Platt on an amicable agreement. "If not, we are looking at demolition," he said.

Selectman Josh Degen pointed out another town project at the Williams Barn with a renovation that saved the building. The town has no need for this building, he said and if this is not approved, he suggested that a wrecking ball may be in order.

Selectman Stuart Schulman cited a comment from a church member that the building would be sold for $100, stressing that there would be much more money spent on the renovations which would result in putting the building on the tax rolls at an estimated $10K per year in perpetuity. He cited the low interest rates right now as making Platt's proposal economically feasible.

West Groton resident George Wheatley Jr. told voters that the building was once proposed for national historic recognition but was turned down because of a steel clad door and the fact that the building had been altered.

Planning Board member George Barringer said the Planning Board was unanimous in support of the article to rezone in preparation for the sale and concept plan.

Land Use Director Michelle Collette explained to voters that several years ago, the town authorized an assessment of the Hall using Community Preservation Act funds to determine what could be done with the building. The estimated cost for improvements at that time was $2M. "Squannacook Hall would provide much needed rental housing in West Groton", she said, adding that Hale and RiverCourt were both enhancements to West Groton.

Following the first vote on the rezoning, the three other related articles were postponed indefinitely.