SOUTHWICK – The Board of Selectmen this week discussed what to do with the town’s Old Library and agreed to have Tighe and Bond perform a hazardous materials study of the building.
Several months ago, selectmen agreed to pursue interested parties to purchase and renovate the historical building.
Chairman Joseph Deedy said Monday that the problem is the cost to renovate while keeping the history intact is so great, someone would want to purchase the building for almost nothing.
“I’ve had people approach me about that building and they’re interested, but they don’t want to pay a lot because of what they have to put into it,” said Deedy.
Chief Administrative Officer Karl Stinehart said it would cost “six figures” to renovate.
“And I don’t think that number will start with a two or three,” added Selectman Douglas Moglin.
Selectman Russell Fox agreed, but said they Board needs to take some action.
“We’ve got to stop kicking the can down the road,” said Fox. “We’ve got to do something before that building falls down.”
Stinehart said it was unfortunate that they were not able to use Community Preservation Act funds to renovate or move it.
“That went to the cigar factory,” he said.
Moglin wondered about the possibility of relocating the Old Library.
“Storrowton has a couple of our buildings and they have room,” he said.
The Board also discussed the possibility of moving the building to the Southwick Museum location.
“Even if we do relocate it, we still have to identify what’s there,” Fox said of potential hazardous materials.
The best scenario, they said, is still for a business to purchase the building and renovate.
“I think there’s a lawyer out there who would love to be in the center of Southwick,” Fox said.
