"Kicking the Tires and Looking Under the Hood"

Above, Pastor Mark Lukens from the Providence Baptist Church of Norfolk and two parishoners, one of whom is peering into a crawl space at the meeting house.

The town held an open house on Monday from 10 to noon for individuals and organizations potentially interested in a reuse for the structure that was originally donated to the town in 1972 for use as a museum—a function it fulfilled until 2007. The Town Council recently authorized Town Administrator Jamie Hellen to advertise for expressions of interest, due April 29.

In attendance from the town on Monday were Hellen, Town Planner Bryan Taberner, Facilities Director Mike D’Angelo, and Building Inspector Lloyd “Gus” Brown.

Former Town Councilor Paul Cheli and across-the-street neighbors, John and Paula Lombardi (whose home is a former district school) were also on site.

A number of interested parties came through in the course of the morning including a couple, one of whom is a financial planner, who were looking to turn part of the space into living quarters and the rest into a meeting space for clients and potentially for occasional use by community groups.

A team from Norfolk’s Providence Baptist Church, led by pastor Mark Lukens was also giving the property a once over. The church currently holds services in the Norfolk Grange hall at 28 Rockwood Rd (Route 115). Lukens said he had approached the town about acquiring the property back in 2008 but was told “No, way, the Town wants to keep it.”

According to Lukens the document transferring ownership from the Federated Church to the Town stipulates that the building must be used as a museum or a church – not a house – so that fact is encouraging him to consider the location.

The town has indicated it will hold another open house before the April 29 deadline for expressions of interest.

At the end of the day, Hellen said, there were four parties in total who came to actually see if they wanted to show interest. “I did not receive any guaranteed applications, but I think the extension the Town Council provided (to April 29) will leave minds open and they may come back again at an April open house,” he added.