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SPENCER – The former Cherry Street fire station will be renovated and transformed into apartments following a recommendation by the Building and Property Re-Use Committee and approval by the Board of Selectmen this month.
On December 8, Selectmen directed Town Administrator Jeff Bridges to negotiate a purchase and sale and development agreement with Gjergi Disho, whose son Patrick laid out plans for the building.
He said each of two floors would have a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment and a one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment.
Disho noted they owned 17 Cherry Street next door and would pursue a shared driveway easement between the two properties to have sufficient parking available.
During the Building Re-Use meeting on December 2, Bridges said the development would have “by right” use without requiring a permit, but may need a variance for parking.
The property is changing from municipal to residential use, the administrator said, and the Planning Board may require a site plan. Also to be worked out, Bridges said, is an egress point for the upstairs.
The development agreement would include a time frame for performance – to ensure construction takes place over a reasonable period.
“Have at it,” the administrator encouraged the Disho family, adding that it is a small development and the process is being made as simple as possible.
“We’re excited to see (this) change,” to the site, said Selectman Gary Woodbury, who is also on the Re-Use board.
Following the Board of Selectman’s approval to proceed, Bridges thanked the developers for stepping forward. Theirs was the only proposal they received for the former fire station.
“I think you are going to do a great job,” he said to the Disho family. “It is going to put this building not only in productive use…but it will be an honorable use.”
Bridges informed the Re-Use Committee that it was formed to handle transformation of certain town properties and the former Cherry Street fire station is the last one.
Town Meeting voted to demolish another—the former Lake Street School—with that expected to be completed by Christmas.
He said rather than dissolve the committee immediately, it could stay active until Lake Street is “down and sealed up.” Or, members could instruct him to pursue other town properties (for re-use) and add them to a list.
He mentioned a 1956 cornerstone was discovered from the Lake Street building and it may contain a time capsule.
