WILLIAMSTOWN -- Selectmen have called a special town meeting for Tuesday, Feb. 26.
Voters will be presented with two warrant articles asking for the removal of restrictions in the deeds of two former town-owned properties: The former Youth Center building at 270 Cole Ave., and land at 677 Simonds Road owned by Purple Moon LLC, doing business as Countryside Landscaping.
"The Youth Center has found a buyer, and the insurance company has asked the restriction be lifted," Town Manager Peter Fohlin said at last week's meeting of the selectmen.
But in order for the sale negotiations to continue, voters must lift a deed restriction on the Cole Avenue building -- originally a school owned by the town -- that dictates the building's use is limited for the purpose of a "boys' club." Fohlin said the town has no interest in the building.
When reached via email Thursday, Youth Center Executive Director David Rempell said he couldn't publicly identify the buyer, but did stress the importance of residents voting at the meeting.
"Obviously we can't sell the building without the restriction being lifted," he said.
The Youth Center moved into the former Cole Avenue school in the 1930s when it was known as Williamstown Boys' Club. The building was renovated in the late 1960s, and the organization was renamed The Williamstown Youth Center in 1984.
Following a capital campaign that raised $3.5 million, the organization
For the Simonds Road property, voters will be asked to remove the right of first refusal that exists on the property. Fohlin said there are many reasons a party could make the request.
"It is a legitimate request to which we are responding appropriately," he said Friday afternoon.
To reach Edward Damon, email
edamon@thetranscript.com.
Font Resize
