Old town hall

Westminster Selectmen are trying to weigh a variety of interests as they look at the future of the old town hall on Bacon Street.

They have heard a resounding silence from people willing to buy the building and renovate the entire structure. The Town Hall Re-Use Committee has tried to request proposals for the building but have only received one, each time they have tried. The one proposal, coming from the town's building inspector, only deals with renovations to the first floor because of the high costs.

There have been discussions about a town reuse of the building and none seems to have an idea that is followed by money for the renovations. Even the seniors, who thought it was a good location for a senior center, have taken to the idea of the putting a new senior center at 69 West Main St., which is a good location for a new center.

It seems like the building, which is historic, may have reached the end of its lifetime.

Library trustees are considering using it for a temporary home but the building is going require millions of dollars of renovation. If private industry isn't willing or able to fix the building, why should the town spend the money and use the resources for the building.

Yes, the building shows the flavor construction in the early 1900s. Yes, the building housed town offices for many years. And yes, before that it held a dance hall and many people have wonderful memories of their lives in that building.

The problem is that even if the building is sold or renovated by the town a major renovations, which will include jutting it, is going to be required. So the building will no longer look the same inside.

It is time for the Selectmen to decide if the building is the best location for the library's temporary home and if not it is time for the building to be removed.

Residents in town are always concerned about town officials wasting tax payer money and it is looking more and more like the town would be wasting money by keeping the building.