Westfield’s Old Town Hall at 20 Broad St. was built in 1837. (WNG file photo)
WESTFIELD – The Community Preservation Commission (CPC) heard from Robert F. L. MacDonald, executive director of the Work Opportunity Center (WOC) in Agawam at its meeting on Wednesday. MacDonald said his organization, which assists individuals with disabilities to obtain employment in the community, is looking to expand its services, and is seeking to relocate to Westfield’s Old Town Hall (1839).
MacDonald said they have an agreement on price with the First Congregational Church, the current owner. He said the sale would be contingent on the transfer of the grant of $163,000 awarded to the church by the CPC in 2016 for exterior renovation and accessibility improvements of the historic Old Town Hall.
MacDonald said their intention for the grant would be to install an elevator from the basement to the second floor, in lieu of the lift the church had planned to install from the basement to the first floor. He said the first floor would serve his clients, and the agency’s administrative offices would move to the second floor.
Their plans for the building include gutting the interior, and replacing walls, floors, bathrooms and electric heating. He said the roof is fine, and the building is structurally sound.
MacDonald said this is a large purchase for the agency. “This (CPA) money would go a long way toward making this deal happen,” he said, adding that they plan to put $1 million into the building. “I’m sure you’d like to see Old Town Hall return to its prominence,” MacDonald said. He also said the cost of the lift proposed by the church was $120,000, while the elevator cost will be $200,000.
In response to questions from the committee about the grant, City Planner Jay Vinskey said the $163,000 was appropriated for the building and is sitting in an account. He said if the committee were to approve the request, they wouldn’t be spending anything.
MacDonald said he would refile the same application, and is in touch with the architects used by the church. He said he would repoint the bricks on the outside, as outlined in the grant, and install the elevator in lieu of the lift.
“We love the Old Town Hall,” said CPC chair Thomas E. Sharp, adding, “You complicate things by not owning the building.”
“I’m not a stand-alone guy. My Board of Directors is not going to let me buy the building without this commitment,” MacDonald said, adding that the CPC awarded the grant to the building under the stewardship of the church, but not necessarily to the church. “It’s one of these unusual situations,” MacDonald said.
“From the Historical Commission point of view, we are backing not the church, but the building. We were delighted when you came along,” said Historical Commission representative Cynthia P. Gaylord,
A lawsuit, Caplan v. Town of Acton, regarding CPC money granted to a church for historical preservation was referenced. The Superior Court recently reversed a lower court decision. The lawsuit questions whether public money is in any way benefitting the church.
Richard Gaylord of the First Congregational Church in Westfield said he was on the committee that originally submitted the grant request. “We want to have that money transferred. The church isn’t benefiting. We’re giving up the grant,” Gaylord said.
“I really think the committee benefits from the transfer. If you get to the point where you have to tear that building down, it would cost $500,000,” MacDonald said, adding, “I want to be honest with you. If I walk out of here, I’m not coming back. It’s going to require all of us to do something a little different; otherwise, we may lose an opportunity that may not come along again. There are plenty of buildings around. I like the building, the concept. I want to put $1 million into this town.”
Cheryl Crowe, representative of the Planning Board, asked for clarification on whether he wanted the transfer of the $163,000, or a commitment that the committee would transfer the funds after the sale.
“Is this actually legal to have this happen, before he purchases the building,” asked Crowe.
Vinskey said they could make the commitment, and the grant agreement would come later.
“We’re not asking anybody to move any money. I’m just asking you to say it’s there for your use,” MacDonald said.
“Like any other request, it’s contingent upon the new owner. We’ve made the commitment. We only approve of this to be approved,” said Vincent Olinski, representative of Parks & Recreation.
A motion was made and approved to make a commitment to transfer the funds upon purchase of the building.
After the vote, Gaylord asked MacDonald if there were a way to keep the woodwork in the first room, the only original room. MacDonald said he would consider it. He added that their organization was anxious to get going.
“As long as it (the renovation) meets CPA criteria,” said Olinski.
