SOUTHWICK – Town officials are looking to go in a different direction with the old library after a poorly attended site visit for interested parties in the historic property.
After only one party was interested and no one making a bid, the Historical Commission and the Select Board are working on selling the property with an architectural and preservation restriction. According to Historical Commission member Dave Gunn, the majority of the restrictions will come from the exterior of the house as well as some including interior aspects.
Southwick Old Library. (WNG File Photo)
The following is a list of items that the Historical Commission has come up with that they want preserved when the old library is purchased.
- All period windows and exterior doors including the trim;
- All interior wainscoting and chair rails;
- The original built-in bookcases on the main floor;
- The interior cornice (crown) moldings;
- The curved ceiling “niche” on the North side of the main room;
- The bead board ceiling;
- The original wood flooring, if applicable;
- Exterior elevations allowing for a handicap ramp on the rear and up to the North side entrance; and historic preservation easement on the property to assure the exterior and certain key interior features will be retained while allowing commercial rehabilitation to be performed
Gunn added that his commission has reached out to the Massachusetts Historical Commission asking for guidance on how to prepare for the preservation restriction.
As for the selling portion, the Historical Commission and the Select Board will begin working on drafting a warrant article for the next annual town meeting in the spring of 2018. The warrant article will consist of seeing if registered voters in town will allow the old library to be sold. At last year’s annual town meeting, the public voted in favor of allowing the building to be rented out.
Gunn acknowledges certain tasks that need to be completed in order to get closer to selling the property.
“The intent is to have the wording all in place in time for the annual town meeting,” said Gunn.
On August 25 it was reported that the old library was open for lease. The bid on the building was then extended into October as the town installed commercialized boards on the front lawn of the old library to let the public know about the bid opening.
