Squannacook Hall's Future PRECARIOUS [with video]

While the long-term future of Squannacook Hall in West Groton is uncertain, in the short term the historic hall will welcome Groton Historical Society, which plans to store some of its collections there while Boutwell House is undergoing renovations. Selectmen. approved the temporary use.

A Request for Proposal (RFP) for Squannacook Hall's future that had been awarded to local contractor and restorer Halsey Platt and this bid remains viable. He put forth a Concept Plan that would create four rental units in the structure with off-street parking for nine vehicles.

However, at Fall Town Meeting, a minority of voters put its future in question when they blocked rezoning the Hall from public use to residential use - a vote that required a 2/3 majority. This, in turn caused Selectmen to ask voters to postpone the remaining three related articles indefinitely - one of which was to install a septic system, the second to approve the Concept Plan, and the third to sell the property.

Town Manager Mark Haddad stressed that Hall's driveway, used by abutting Christian Union Church, "is owned by the town and will transfer with the property."

Selectman Chairman Peter Cunningham said the discussion was "emotional" at Town Meeting with people saying that the church was going away "was a little bit over the top...If Squannacook Hall is torn down, it doesn't mean that the church gets parking." He and member Anna Eliot will meet with representatives from the Church to discuss the situation and see if it's possible to reach a compromise.

Colleague Josh Degen agreed to reach out to the church. The driveway is on town land and would need an easement. He said that demolition could cost the town $50K but that the land has value of more than $100K; "This land has residual value."

Degen pointed out that several other individuals have come forward since Town Meeting; one of whom suggested it be used for an indoor firing range, and cautioned about other potential kinds of uses. "The reality in my mind is the best use for the property is housing," adding a caution that "The devil you know is better than the devil you don't know."

However as it stands now - blocked from rezoning, Squannacook Hall could be used for elderly housing which does not require rezoning approval, according to Land Use Director Michelle Collette.

Haddad asked Selectmen to kick off the start of the town's Demolition Delay Bylaw that requires a 180- day waiting period along with public hearings by the Historical Commission. This would take the decision to next spring's Town Meeting timeframe. "This would not preclude you from doing anything else. You could continue to look for other uses," Haddad told the Board and even if the permit was granted, Selectmen do not have to act upon it.

Degen stressed that the Board's priority is to save the structure, adding that they thought the use being proposed was a "slam dunk. It is woefully shameful thing going on in town when that people did not show up. If people had shown up (to Town Meeting) it would have passed." He cited the great success of Williams Barn that was slated for demolition, and a group of visionaries who worked hard to have the antique building used and saved for future generations.

Degen said that the Demolition Delay Bylaw will show that Selectmen mean business. "This will not become a parking lot for the church, it would go to auction. A bidder could buy it and put a single family home on it or the church can buy it." The lot is a quarter acre, and according to Land Use Director Michelle Collette the West Groton center zoning could support this site for a single family home.

The Board voted to give Haddad the go ahead to obtain a Demolition Delay permit.

In a move that seems fitting, history stored in a historical structure, GHS President John Ott told Selectmen that in addition to storage, GHS is removing some items from their collections that have nothing to do with Groton, deaccessioning them and eliminating items with material damage. He said that the GHS would need heat, water and security at the Hall. Degen said the town would have to have no liability. The Board will allow the GHS to store their materials through April 28 providing that there is adequate insurance for their collections.