STANDISH – Standish is putting its orginal town hall near the intersection of routes 35 and 25 on the market, with the most likely new owner being a publishing company that could bring more than a dozen jobs to town.

While town councilors at a special meeting Aug. 28 were keen to allow economic activity, members of the Standish Historical Society tried to make their case to rent the historic structure compelling, as well.

“We’ve been working since April on this,” said society president Glenna Jamison. “This isn’t the first time we have asked the town for space and we’ve never been able to come to an agreement. This time we are disappointed and discouraged.”

Councilor Phil Pomerleau disagreed.

“I have been on the council 12 years,” said Pomerleau. “I’ve never had the historical society all here. I wish you were here five or six years ago. You say we knew about your problems but we didn’t. Now that you have brought it to the council’s attention, I agree we need to find a way to help.”

Jamison pointed out that she had been writing letters to the councilors since April when the current tenants, the Ladies Circle, who have been leasing the building from the town for 60 years, decided to vacate the building and recommend the town allow the society to move in.

“We feel we have done everything you have asked of us,” said Jamison. “Yet we apparently have not done what you would like us to do. We want to know why you feel we can’t handle a building like this.”

Councilors asked if the society would be able to keep the building open year-round, and Jamison answered that for the first few years they would not be able to afford to heat it or keep it open throughout the year.

“When a building is used and then not used,” said Councilor Lynn Olsen, “it only fosters the deterioration.”

Councilors also asked why the society felt it needed the building.

“We need space,” said Jamison. “I currently have historical donations from people in my garage because we have no space to put them in the Old Red Church.”

The historical society operates on donations and is housed on the second floor of the Old Red Church on Oak Hill Road, a space members say they have outgrown.

“We are well into our third century in Standish,” said Charles Ruby, member and curator of the society’s museum. “Three centuries take up a lot of room.”

Ruby explained that some of the archives are housed in what used to be outhouses at the church due to lack of space inside the building.

“It’s embarrassing to say,” said Ruby.

Councilor John Sargent asked Ruby how many square feet they might need to house everything, a question that to members of the society was illogical.

“When you have more space people are more willing to donate more and larger items,” said Nadine Blake, a member of the society and a founding member of the Limington Historical Society. “People may be sitting on something large but they are not going to donate it if they know there isn’t space. It’s hard to give an accurate account of what is needed but certainly every foot helps.”

Sargent was not satisfied and again addressed Ruby.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” said Sargent.

“It’s a good question,” said Ruby. “And I’m just not sure.”

Longtime Standish resident and society member Helen Sawyer sought to calm things down and addressed the council with a heartfelt plea.

“Our goal is to preserve the history of our town,” said Sawyer. “Before you disagree with this, please, let us spread our wings and grow for the benefit of us all.”

Resident Michael Lyons, owner of Tower Publishing in Standish, who is seeking to purchase the building, was willing to offer a solution for everyone.

“We are looking at it as a place to do some manufacturing and maybe have a storefront to see the process of manufacturing,” said Lyons. “We could have a room in the building where the historical society can have their documents as well. It doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive.”

Throughout the public hearing residents pleaded with councilors that if they were to sell the building, it would make sense to add a preservation easement to ensure the building would not be destroyed or altered in a way that would rob the building of its historical status.

“At the very least, I think the people here tonight would want to have a preservation easement for the buyer to protect this Standish jewel,” said resident Carolyn Biegel.

The idea prompted councilors to add an amendment to the order stating that the town lawyers would draft a protective covenant in accordance with the National Register of Historical Buildings to keep the exterior preserved.

“I do agree the building needs to stay with the character of the area,” said Pomerleau.

The council also voted to amend the order and remove the paragraph stating the funds would go into an account dedicated for the benefit of the Standish Corner District.

After two hours of hearty debate the council voted 6-1 (Councilor Karen Tompson opposed) to sell the building.

“I’m sorry,” Tompson said immediately after her vote. “I really, really believe that the historical society should be given a chance.”

Pomerleau disagreed.

“When I see a company offering eight or nine jobs and maybe eight more, I have a real hard time not going with it,” he said.

Olsen saw the hearing as way to open future discussion between the town and the historical society.

“I think there were a lot of ideas generated and we’ve heard some creative problem solving,” said Olsen. “I think this will be a win-win situation for everyone.”

Despite pleas from the Standish Historical Society, the Standish Town Council has voted to put the original town hall building, located on Route 25 near the Route 35 intersection, on the market. Tower Publishing, based in Standish, is the likely buyer.   
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