Town plans public forums to discuss purchase of St. Gerard’s

The Canton Select Board is planning to hold at least two public forums next month to discuss and field questions concerning its interest in acquiring the former St. Gerard Majella Church property at 1860 Washington Street. A vote on the matter will take place at a special town meeting on Wednesday, December 1, at 7 p.m. in the Canton High School auditorium.

St. Gerard Majella

The first public session will be held in person on Monday, November 8, at 7 p.m. in the CHS Distance Learning Lab. A second session is tentatively scheduled to be held remotely two days later on Wednesday, November 10. It is hoped that Canton Community TV will record at least one, if not both sessions, and air them over the coming weeks.

A third session, geared specifically for senior citizens, is also being planned with the date and venue to be determined.

Select Board Chair Mike Loughran said Town Moderator Alan Hines will facilitate the November 8 presentation with Loughran and Select Board Vice Chair Lisa Lopez on hand to field any questions from the audience.

Last Tuesday, the Select Board voted to close the warrant for the December 1 STM with two articles: the principal question of whether the town should make an offer to purchase the former St. Gerard’s property, as well as an appropriation to eliminate a budget shortfall to close out the renovations at Metropolis Skating Rink. Loughran noted that if voters pass the measure to make an offer for St. Gerard’s, the acquisition would be done by eminent domain — an established right of governments to take private property (with compensation) and convert it to public use.

Loughran said the Archdiocese of Boston has expressed a desire to sell the property and a fair price will be negotiated between the parties.

“There is nothing sinister or hostile about it; it’s just the process,” he said at last Tuesday’s Select Board meeting, alluding to concerns raised by some residents about the use of eminent domain. “We will negotiate in good faith and pay a fair market price. This is just the process to do this.”

Still to be discussed at the public forums are why the Select Board is interested in the property, potential uses for the building and grounds, and a further explanation of the eminent domain process.

Loughran said what will not be known by the November meetings are the financial details and the impact to the town. He said an appraisal is being sought on the property and will not be known until the December 1 STM.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Oct 22 2021. Filed under Uncategorized. Both comments and pings are currently closed.