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Planning commission urges action on underused town buildings; Carpenter Barn singled out as urgent
Summary
The planning commission presented a town‑wide review of underused municipal properties and recommended either investing in repairs (notably to the Carpenter Barn and Academy building) or selling low‑value assets. The Selectboard asked staff for a prioritized cost and timeline analysis to guide budget decisions.
The Royalton planning commission briefed the Selectboard on a study of town‑owned buildings that it said are underused and increasingly expensive to maintain. The commission (presenter S9) recommended moving records from the Royalton Bank building to the Academy building, exploring sale or adaptive reuse for the bank building, and prioritizing immediate repairs for the Carpenter Barn, which the commission described as at risk of structural failure unless the town invests in foundation and floor work.
During the discussion board members and the planning commission traded views on preservation vs. redevelopment. S9 said the bank building’s "current use is very poor," and urged the board to consider either targeted investments or sale; others warned that converting historically important structures to housing would be costly and could jeopardize their character. The board asked staff to produce a list of town properties with estimated repair costs and recommended timelines so the Selectboard can include the items in capital‑budget planning.
Members also discussed potential grant opportunities for agricultural or historic preservation projects and suggested short‑term measures (temporary patching/painting or fundraising) as interim steps. The Selectboard agreed to place the item on a future agenda and to prioritize an estimate for the Carpenter Barn and for the Chelsea Street Bridge membrane work.
