The Board of Selectmen agreed this week to open negotiations that could lead to a one-year rental agreement for the use of the old library by Harvard’s Center on the Common, the nonprofit cultural group that evolved from the Pilot Project.
The vote was unanimous, but prior to the tally two Selectmen voiced reservations and urged the Center to “grow,” to reach out to a broader constituency and to seek alternatives to the old library in case it is needed next year for the relocation of town employees while Town Hall is being renovated.
The Center on the Common’s newly appointed president is Robert Hubert of Old Littleton Road, a photographer, a 25-year resident of Harvard, and a member of the Pilot Project. Jim Breslauer of Poor Farm Road, the organization’s attorney, told Selectmen that papers of incorporation were filed with the state Attorney General’s office Tuesday afternoon and that the Center had also applied for nonprofit tax status.
It was Hubert who took the hot seat before the Board of Selectmen to ask that they enter into a 90-day negotiation for the rental–not lease–of the old library to the Center for a period of one year, with a right to renew.
“My purpose here tonight is quite simple: To ensure the transition [of the Pilot Project] into a full-fledged artistic and community center,” Hubert said. As a resident, he said, he would like “to not only see [the old library] used as a town cultural center, but also sustained as a building.”
“We have a transition plan in place and our goal is to make sure that we continue [our relationship] with existing renters…of the Pilot Project, to continue the existing flow of revenue, [and] to quickly build revenue [by acquiring] other renters,” Hubert said.
As a nonprofit, Hubert said, the new center would also be able to pursue donations.
Hubert said Tuesday he did not wish to discuss the relocation of Town Hall employees to the old library.
“I know [the Selectmen] will make the right decision when it comes down to it,” he said. “My goal is to find some way to keep that facility vibrant over the long term. “
Hubert told the Selectmen that as a businessman, he would describe the first two years of the Pilot Project as successful.
“I believe that…by building a revenue stream with the renters we have, …we can very quickly pay for the expenses of the building and begin to set aside funds to pay for [its] maintenance…and take some of that burden off of taxpayer in town,” he said.
Asked by Selectman Marie Sobalvarro which expenses he would include, Hubert said that for the first two years he would expect to cover basic utilities, including heat, electricity, and light.
“We’d be responsible for the interior, the town would be responsible for the ‘shell,'” he said.
“I’m very excited,” said Selectmen Bill Johnson. “We’re looking for some organization to come and take the financial burden of the old library off of the taxpayers. I think your proposal is a step up to that. I think it’s fabulous. I can’t think of a finer tenant than a cultural center, if it can meet those financial obligations.”
Selectman Ron Ricci agreed, though he has previously been critical of the Pilot Project and its results.
“My interest would be that an entity such as yours could basically take over the building and cover all the town’s expenses on it,” Ricci said. “But I’m not sure that given the volume you have right now that’s possible.”
“I can’t tell you it’s possible,” replied Hubert. “I can only tell you it’s feasible.”
Ricci also said he hoped the center would work to broaden its audience. He suggested the group consider merging with Harvard’s adult education program, for example.
“Something like that could make the project a success,” he said. “Absent that, it’s going to run along on a shoestring and sooner or later something major is going to need redoing on the building and you’re going to have to come back and we’re going to have to ask the taxpayers for a lot of money.”
The Pilot Project has “been heavily subsidized by those who do not have the time or inclination to participate in something like this,” Ricci continued. “I would urge you to do the best you can to grow it.”
Both Ricci and Johnson have said previously that locating Town Hall employees anyplace other than the old library is likely to be an expensive and inconvenient option. Johnson wanted to know whether the Pilot Project had looked at other locations.
“I’ve not done it yet. We’ll certainly do it before we sit down and talk,” said Hubert. “I do know that what I want to do is get the discussion going.”
“What we’d like …is a “win-win”…for the long term,” said Johnson. “Look out beyond Town Hall renovation,” he urged Hubert. “[We want] that the Pilot Project be alive and well in the old library and also that Town Hall has had the least amount of cost and disruption and inconvenience to residents. “
“We tasked ourselves…to look at other options for Town Hall,” Johnson said. “And what we ask of you is that you look at the other options you might have, just during that 12-month period. Then come back to the old library, just as we’ll be coming back to the renovated Town Hall.”
