The Town of New Ipswich will be making a decision on the future of 36 Main St., a town-owned building that is currently being used for storage.
Town Administrator Debbie Deaton said the building and an adjacent parking lot are both town-owned, and are currently used to store the town’s antique hand-pumper and other antique fire equipment. Board Chair Shawn Talbot said the building, built circa 1920, is still structurally sound, but is in need of such major repairs that it will likely have to be gutted.
“There are shingles falling off, the chimney is nearly falling down,” Talbot said. “If we, as a town, aren’t going to remodel it, we wouldn’t be good stewards to let it fall into total decay.”
The Select Board held a public hearing Tuesday to get public feedback on the potential uses for that building, with one option being merging the lots for the building and the parking lot and putting the parcel up for sale or auction. However, no one appeared to speak on the issue, and the board received one piece of written feedback, from Mike Martel, pastor of Christian Community Church, which abuts the property.
Martel wrote that churchgoers use the parking lot during Sunday services and asked for consideration if the property is sold, such as a deed restriction or agreement to allow the church to continue using it.
Talbot said he has been speaking with the New Ipswich Fire Fighter’s Association about the equipment stored in the building, including the antique hand pump, which Talbot said is the most-significant piece of equipment in the building because of its historical significance. The association has shown interest in taking possession of the hand pump and other equipment for possible restoration.
Talbot said the board was still looking for further community input, and said instead of closing the public hearing, the board members decided to continue it until its meeting next week. The hearing will continue on Tuesday, Aug. 1, at 6:30 p.m. at the town offices. Residents can speak in person, or submit signed feedback via a letter or email to any member of the Select Board or to Deaton.
In other Select Board news,members met with Police Chief Michael Abel to discuss a $4,800 grant the town has received for additional traffic enforcement patrols.
The grant, provided through the Department of Highway Safety, is paid 75 percent through the state, with the town providing the remaining 25 percent. The funds are used for additional four-hour patrols to scout for issues including impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving, including the use of electronic devices.
Talbot said the board did not have the opportunity to review the entirety of the grant when it was presented on Tuesday. He directed his fellow board members to review the grant over the coming week, and to direct any questions to Abel in the interim, so that he may address any questions or concerns during the Aug. 1 Select Board meeting. Talbot said if the board members have no questions, or have all questions addressed Aug. 1, the board expects to vote.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on Twitter @AshleySaariMLT.