[MassHistPres] Purchasing a town owned historic building

[Dennis De Witt]

Sally

At one time there were, and there still may be, limits on the length of a lease that a town can enter into with a non-profit as well as a requirement for an RFP.  

In 1994 Brookline entered into a 20 year lease with preservation covenants, after an RFP, with a non-profit that wanted that lease length to justify making a substantial investment in the building.  As I recall, that required state (I think legislature) approval because of the length.  When the lease came up for renewal, Town Counsel indicated that another RFP was not required because of some 2009 state legislation.  However, that may have been because it was a lease renewal and not a new lease.

This would seem to be a question for Town Counsel based on the specifics.  Personally, I would not make assumptions  

Dennis De Witt
Brookline


> On Sep 12, 2017, at 12:59 PM, Tom Keyes <tkeyes at capecod.net> wrote:
> 
> Hi Sally,
>  
> The town has the authority to enter into short and long term leases with people or organizations for any of its inventory.  Unless the town is trying to cash in with a sale, a 501c3 nonprofit can be created that can bid for a long term lease to use and maintain the historic structure.  That way the town doesn’t have to sell and the nonprofit doesn’t have to buy it.  But who wins?  The community.  The building will now be maintained, used, available for the public, and add to the historic charm of the town.
>  
> Tom
>  
> Thomas F. Keyes
> President & Executive Director
> North Atlantic Archaeological Collaborative, Inc.
> PO Box 375, Sandwich, MA 02563
> tkeyes at naarchaeology.org <mailto:tkeyes at naarchaeology.org> p. 508-737-0244
> www.naarchaeology.org <http://www.naarchaeology.org/>
> <image001.jpg>
>  
>  
>  
>  
> From: masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu> [mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu <mailto:masshistpres-bounces at cs.umb.edu>] On Behalf Of sally urbano
> Sent: Monday, September 11, 2017 3:05 PM
> To: Masshistpres Members
> Subject: [MassHistPres] Purchasing a town owned historic building
>  
>  Hello,
>      I was hoping someone might have knowledge of a way for a private group to purchase a Historic building that is currently abandoned and owned by the town.  ( still trying to save the hold schoolhouse)
>   The town has suggested they would sell the building. However my understanding of municpal 
> guidelines is that the building would have to go to an RFP and under sealed bids others with more money might buy the building and may not be interested in keeping the historic structure.
> Is there a way to do this working with the town directly?  any suggestions welcomed.
>  
> Sally Urbano
> West Harwich
> individually
>  
> 
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