BARNARD — A special town meeting scheduled for next Wednesday will decide whether the town of Barnard should lease the old fire station to theater nonprofit BarnArts for 15 years with an annual rent of $1.
BarnArts, which is based in Barnard, also would have the option to renew the lease for an additional 15 years.
The town originally voted in favor of BarnArts leasing the old fire station, located at 6220 Route 12, at Town Meeting in March. The vote was decided by paper ballot, 66-41.
The original lease was more of a “quick draft,” said Linda Treash, BarnArts’ executive director.
On Wednesday, the town is set to vote on the revised lease, which would give BarnArts the option to knock down all or part of the fire station if it is more financially viable than renovating the current structure.
Dating back to the ‘70s, the single-story fire station sits on a .22-acre parcel of land next to the Charles B. Danforth Library.
The station requires a “full system overhaul,” Treash said. Work would include installing new water and electrical systems as well as renovating the building’s foundation. All renovations must be approved by the town before building can commence, the lease states.
Since the Fire Department moved to a new building eight years ago, the old fire station has been used to store the department’s gear and the snowmobile club’s extra equipment, which the town would return to people’s homes when BarnArts begins renovations.
The old fire station would provide BarnArts with its first home base since its founding in 2012. For now, Treash runs the organization from her house, while performances take place at venues such as Fable Farm and Barnard Town Hall.
The renovated building would include an office, a workspace for costume and set design, a storage area, two public bathrooms, a kitchenette, and a large room for rehearsals and community gatherings.
BarnArts is required to pay for any alterations to the old fire station, the lease states. At this point, Treash is unsure how much renovations will cost. She plans to finalize the design and start a capital campaign after the lease is approved.
But BarnArts “will be able to use the building for storage right away,” Treash said.
The lease also stipulates that BarnArts must use the building as a community arts space for “the benefit of Barnard residents and the general public” in order for the lease to be considered for renewal.
The article requires a simple majority to pass at the Wednesday meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Barnard Town Hall. Voters must be present in order to be counted. Residents can register to vote at the town clerk’s office or during the meeting.
Marion Umpleby can be reached at mumpleby@vnews.com or 603-727-3306.
