Saving Sterling 1835 Town Hall a ‘no brainer’

On May 1 at Town Meeting, Sterling residents will indeed be voting to save the 1835 Town Hall. A structure rich in history, with the land it rests upon donated in 1807 by Ebenezer Pope to be used by the Sterling town residents forever. It has stood proudly and has been an icon of our town center for 182 years.

There will be four articles presented, which may cause some confusion and test the resolve of what should be our financial responsibility to this grand building and all it represents.

Article 16 ($298,000) has been submitted by the 1835 Town Hall Committee and is the only article supported by both the 1835 Town Hall and finance committees. This article requires no tax increase.

The 1835 Town Hall Committee has put together a five-year plan for additional work. Allowing time for seeking grants to reduce cost to the town as Article 15 ($610,000) asks for too much too soon.

Article 17($150,000) does not ask enough for complete repair, greatly limiting the building’s use and future and Article 18 (sell) if allowed , could result in the destruction of the building entirely.

The 1835 Town Hall is our recreation center among several other viable and convenient uses to our residents. This cannot be overlooked or understated. Perhaps over time as we drove through our town center, we took this- amazing structure for granted. However, we must now ask ourselves what would Sterling center look like·. if this historic building were gone …  and all we had left to view in its place is a dirt parking lot. Sterling  residents can prevent this potential tragedy. Come to Town Meeting and vote “yes” on Article 16.

In my opinion, a no brainer.

Carl Corrinne
Sterling

(This letter to the editor appeared in the April 12, 2017 Holden Landmark)