FW: Tarkiln suggestion [MAss DCR Historic Curatorship]

[tarki...@comcast.net]

 

Hi folks

 

This message came in to the Tarki...@comcast.net address.  I'd like to put this on the agena.

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: wwhi...@comcast.net
To: tarki...@comcast.net
Subject: Tarkiln suggestion
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 01:44:29 +0000

Dear friends:

My name is Bill Hinkley, a former Duxbury resident who attended Boy Scout meetings in the Tarkiln building. I have been following the plight of Tarkiln in the Clipper and thought of a program that may be helpful. The Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has a program called "Historic Curatorships" that enable an individual or business to occupy a structure rent-free provided that they perform the needed renovations. http://www.mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/curator/index.htm. I imagine that much of the expense in the quote would be in bringing the building up to the standards needed for a municipal building. This would allow Tarkiln to be brought up to residential standards - probably for much less money. As the curator would be responsible for contracting any work, it would be much cheaper than if done by the town.

 

The program basically puts a building into "cold storage" that keeps it occupied and in use without being reliant on the town for maintenence. If in the future the town finds a community use, it simply need not renew the lease. It may be a good model to keep Tarkiln standing without the controversy over funding. Removing the asbestos prior to accepting bids would be a key step.

 

Best wishes, and good luck with your efforts.

 

Bill Hinkley

[tag.ca...@gmail.com]

From: "Allen, Kevin (DCR)"
Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2008 5:17 PM
Subject: Tarkiln Building

Dear Mr. Carpenter:

Thank you for your email – There are, I believe, about ten other
communities around the Commonwealth that have protected historic
buildings using a curatorship-type arrangement (below). As a state
agency, we were required to secure legislative authority to lease a
property for more than five years. Municipalities and non profits,
however, are not required to file state legislation. In addition,
there could seemingly be much more flexibility in crafting an
agreement than we have, as our procedures are governed by the state’s
Capital Asset Management Agency (DCAM). Feel free to give me a call
or check in with some of the communities below. I can share some of
our boilerplate documents if you’d like. Thanks for your inquiry,

Kevin Allen

Historic Curatorship Program Manager
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

mass.gov/dcr/stewardship/curator/index.htm

MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS LEASED TO PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS OR INDIVIDUALS

Ashburnham - Library leased to piano museum Revere - Revere Historical
Society

Holden - Holden Historical Society

Brookline - Historical Society, Art Center, Music School, Special
Needs Residential Program and Auto Museum.

Concord - private residence

Manchester - Manchester Historical Society

Lexington - Lexington Historical Society

Upton - Upton Historical Society

Bedford - School and Old Town Hall Managed by Bedford Town Center,
Inc.
Framingham - Framingham Historical Society
Whately - Whately Historical Society
Newburyport - Newburyport Maritime Society
Shrewsbury - Shrewsbury Historical Society