Due to safety concerns, the Old Post Road Orchestra will perform in the fire station at the July 4 Summerfest, not inside Memorial Hall like in years past.
Memorial Hall in Monson. MONSON - The Board of Selectmen voted recently to ban all events from taking place at Memorial Hall due to safety concerns.
The decision, made at the board's June 25 meeting, came two weeks after it voted to deny requests for events that would attract more than 50 people. Continued concerns about safety prompted the latest decision.
Selectmen met with Fire Chief Laurent R. McDonald and Leslie A. Duthie of the Community Preservation Committee. At issue was $171,250 recently approved by Town Meeting voters to restore windows and doors on the 1885 building, which was built as a memorial to veterans. The money is from the community preservation surcharge levied to residents on their property tax bills.
Selectmen Chairman Edward A. Maia said he does not want to replace windows and doors on a building that cannot be used. Selectman Richard Smith agreed, and said it doesn't make sense to spend this money without addressing the safety issues first.
Added Maia, "It's like putting a new roof on a building that has a bad foundation."
Maia later said voters will be asked at a fall special Town Meeting to rescind the vote for the repairs. At that time, he said they should have a better idea of what it will cost to improve the building. Architectural Insights from Palmer will continue to conduct a safety study of the building; approximately $3,800 has been allocated for the study through a grant.
The problems with the building include exposed wiring and combustibles stored in large quantities. Exit lights are not working, and some are not wired properly. Cracked and peeling paint could cause fire to spread, according to a report from McDonald, which also stated that the building has no occupancy permit or current certificate of inspection from the building inspector.
The vote two weeks ago affected the Arts Council's fall craft fair and the spring Monson Woodwackers show. Town Administrator Gretchen E. Neggers noted other events that will be affected - the Monson Memorial Classic road race in November and the Halloween event for children.
Smith said the organizers of those events need to be contacted so they are aware of the problems with the building.
"Once a month we have a major community event there," Neggers said, adding Memorial Hall needs to be safer, and they need a planned approach to make that happen.
"It's a beautiful building, and we all love it," Neggers said.
Neggers noted that there are no alternative locations for community events. The old Town Office Building downtown recently was torn down due to tornado damage, and its replacement will not feature a large meeting space, she said.
The Old Post Road Orchestra was supposed to be in the hall performing during Summerfest on July 4, but McDonald said they can play inside the fire station instead, after the Girl Scouts' pancake breakfast ends.