Hubbardston Select Board signals continued interest in local dugout canoe, asks town administrator to draft letter

The Hubbardston Select Board voted on a motion to have the town administrator draft and send a letter expressing the towns continued interest in a dugout canoe recently held by the Worcester Historical Museum.

The motion, made by Select Board member Monroe and seconded by Select Board member Young, passed unanimously at the meeting. The letter is intended to signal the towns willingness to accept custody of the canoe if Nipmuc representatives decide not to repatriate the artifact.

Select Board members heard a presentation from Ed Blanchard and Bill Shea, who described their meeting with museum staff and follow-up outreach to Nipmuc representatives. Blanchard, who described the Worcester Historical Museums concern about transferring ownership to an individual, said the museum preferred conveying ownership to a perpetual entity such as the town. He told the board the museum had asked whether the town would be prepared to take responsibility for preservation and public display "should it become available."

Bill Shea told the board he has space at his property and a plan to construct a climate-controlled plexiglass case and provide security, fire alarms and other protections. Shea said he would be "more than happy to convey the ownership to another organization versus an individual" and that he was willing to act as a steward in the near term.

Town staff and board members discussed options for a formal ownership arrangement, including whether ownership should rest with the town, the towns historical commission, or a nonprofit entity. Board members and presenters emphasized the desire to avoid transferring ownership to a private individual because of concerns about long-term custody if an individuals circumstances changed.

Town Administrator and staff will use the Select Boards instruction to draft the letter and follow up with the Worcester Historical Museum. Board members said they intend to finalize a more detailed plan, including contingency language and potential stewardship agreements, at a future meeting when more participants (including the full board and the historical commission) can attend.

The board made clear that if Nipmuc representatives express a desire to repatriate the artifact, Hubbardston would defer to that request.

The Select Board also discussed organizing a separate meeting that would include the Shea family, the Common Pond Association, the historical society and the historical commission to draft sample contract language and contingency provisions in advance of any transfer.

Notes: the museum director mentioned during the discussion is scheduled to retire on Sept. 1; members said they would like a firm response before the director departs.

Votes at a glance: the Select Board voted to instruct the town administrator to draft and send a letter stating the towns continued interest; the motion was made by Select Board member Monroe, seconded by Select Board member Young, and passed by the members present.