Adams Hopes to Use Memorial School for Holiday Market
 Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan said the Memorial School could be repaired enough to be used for some events. |
ADAMS, Mass. — The Memorial School building may be used for a holiday market in November.
Interim Town Administrator Donna Cesan and Tourism Director Samantha Talora met with the Selectmen during a workshop meeting Wednesday to discuss what it would take to have a holiday farmers market in the former middle school.
"There are over 20 returning vendors who are interested and possibly upwards of 30 vendors," Cesan said. "Samantha reported that there was increased participation in the farmers market, and she thinks even more vendors will participate in this holiday market."
The school building recently received a roof replacement. The town has discussed leasing parts of the building and using the classroom wing as senior housing. However, without a new heating and cooling system, these larger-scale applications are not yet possible.
Cesan said she met with the building inspector and the Department of Public Works director and for a small cost, the building could be used for this one-day event roughly scheduled for Nov. 16. She said DPW employees could handle many of the small fixes needed for the event and other expenditures would cost $500.
The $500 would come from funds Talora would raise through the farmers market.
Cesan said the biggest item needed for the holiday market would be securing working pluming in the bathroom. She said Adams Plumbing and Heating held a site visit earlier in the day but has yet to provide a price.
She does not expect it to cost too much and said it could go toward bettering the building for the long run and its reuse.
"We were looking at this being viable if it was a small budget item that will move the project forwards, and it really isn't limited to this one day and will generally help us with the building and its reuse," she said.
Cesan said there is nearly $4,000 written into the budget for maintenance of the building. If the bathroom renovations are below that amount, the event can move forward.
Selectman Jeffrey Snoonian suggested using portable toilets if the town cannot afford the plumbing repairs. Talora said if the building does not have indoor plumbing for the event, she would rather hold it at the Visitors Center.
"Folks are going to be there all day, and we don't want to inconvenience anyone," Talora said. "Obviously, the Visitors Center is a lot smaller, but we would make it work. We wouldn't be able to open it up to more vendors, but I would feel better doing it right."
She said, at the most, she could comfortably fit 14 vendors in the Visitors Center.
The selectmen agreed that if the bathroom repairs were permanent and will go toward the future reuse of the building, they would feel comfortable spending the money.
"A lot of what's being done for this event would also be the kind of things we would have to do if we want to vote there or use it for town meeting," Chairman Arthur Harrington said. "So whatever we invest for this event can go a long way."
If the repairs permanently address the bathroom problems, the facility could be used for a special town meeting in November and elections in May.
The selectmen expect a price from Adams Plumbing and Heating by the end of the week and will vote on it at their next meeting.
Snoonian said he would like to see the building in use so people's opinions on the project will turn more positive.
"The sooner we get to use the Memorial School for anything the better because I know right now, there is a big moan of contention," Snoonian said. "It's a small step, but people will be inhabiting the building."
The selectmen also created a committee to investigate uses and strategies for the building that consists of Selectmen Richard Blanchard and John Duval.
Cesan said the committee can focus on moving the project forward, work with other town employees, and report back to their fellow selectmen.
"Personally I think we really need to focus on this and create some momentum," she said. "This is a big and tough issue, and it needs attention or else it could take years. I don't think we have years. I don't think the public is patient for years.'
Cesan said the town is working on a concept and approach to find the funds to replace the building's heating and cooling systems.
Tags: Adams Memorial Middle School, holiday event, school reuse,
