<p>Edgartown took another step toward possible ownership of the Yellow House, with the community preservation committee voting to recommend spending $1.5 million to buy the building.</p>
Edgartown took another step toward possible ownership of a dilapidated private property on Main street Thursday, with the community preservation committee voting to recommend spending $1.5 million to purchase the so-called Yellow House.
The proposal now goes on the warrant for the April annual town meeting. A separate article will ask the town to spend $1.5 million to buy the private parking lot next door. That money would not come from community preservation funds.
Benjamin Hall Jr. claimed the town has blocked renovations.
Benjamin Hall Jr. claimed the town has blocked renovations.
The clapboard and wood shingle two-story building at 66 Main street, in the heart of downtown, is owned by the Hall family, and has been the source of long-running legal battles and discussion among town boards.
During a 30-minute public hearing Thursday hosted by the CPC, Benjamin Hall Jr., representing the family, questioned the project’s legitimacy and claimed the town has blocked renovation efforts.
“I would urge the town that this is not a wise choice,” he said.
But CPC members were resolute. “I think we’ve given the Halls adequate opportunity to do whatever they want to do and they haven’t done it,” board member Alan Wilson said. “It’s time we took some action.” The board voted unanimously in favor of the proposal.
Preservation committee recommended spending $1.5 million for Yellow House.
Preservation committee recommended spending $1.5 million for Yellow House.
The town will have the option of either purchasing the property or taking it by eminent domain.
If the articles are approved, preliminary plans call for renovating the Yellow House and leasing it as rental space, turning the land between the house and the Edgartown town hall into a small park, and converting the private parking lot into a municipal lot.
For more than a decade the house has been at the center of legal skirmishes between the town and the Hall family, including a long-running superior court case over around an old linden tree outside the property, which the Halls wanted to remove. The case was eventually dismissed and the tree stayed.
On another front, the town voted in 2013 to approve a bylaw amendment requiring minimum maintenance on buildings in the town historic district. Shortly after the bylaw went into effect the town sent a violation letter to the Halls for the Yellow House, and after no work was done the commission later voted to send the matter to the building department for enforcement. Town counsel Ronald H. Rappaport said Thursday that the town brought a lawsuit in 2015 to compel the Hall family to comply with the order; that case has not yet been heard.
Three years ago the community preservation committee voted to spend $1.4 million to buy the house, but the matter was later postponed.
On Thursday, town administrator Pamela Dolby said the home is one of the oldest buildings on Main street. While assessor records state the building was built in 1850, the town has said research indicates the first part of the building was built in 1805 by Capt. Chase Pease, the county jailer and an early Methodist. More recently, it was the home of Bickerton & Ripley bookstore, which closed in the early 2000s.
Records indicate house dates back to 1805.
Records indicate house dates back to 1805.
At the hearing, with the two-story house visible out the meeting room window, Mr. Hall said he had a different take on the situation, and claimed that what was presented by the board was “what has recently become known as alternate facts as to what exactly has transpired at that property.”
He said his family had been trying to renovate the building since 2003 and had been stymied by the town, which he said was trying to deplete the value of the property and make it difficult to move forward. Parties that have expressed interest in the property have been deterred by issues with the town, he said. “We have been working to try to get people interested in doing a project there that would be worthy of the town, and not something that would be inappropriate, something that would be of long term benefit to the town,” Mr. Hall said.
He also questioned the town’s valuation of the property, suggesting that it is worth at least $7 million, and will cost even more to restore.
He raised procedural questions, including whether a vote was taken by the selectmen to recommend the project. Mrs. Dolby said no vote was required.
Some in the room had questions for Mr. Hall. “I want to ask Ben, why haven’t you maintained the standards of the town with the building,” Linda DeWitt said. “I would really like to know. That is an embarrassment . . . when I give people a tour, I have to explain. Why not maintain it through all these years?”
Comments
I cant help but notice the
deshandra brown mvI cant help but notice the peeling paint. Isn't that a public health hazard if its lead paint? I would hope the board of health takes notice and protects the public if it is lead paint. Those paint chips could blow off the property and pose a public health hazard or wash into the storm drains and destroy the shellfishing industry when the storm drains go into the harbor. 7 million for that dump? Keep dreaming. Try and show in court any property in pristine condition that sells for 3.6 times assessed value in town.(let alone a dump) I smell a lawsuit. As a taxpayer...my advice to the selectmen is to 'bring it on'. The town will prevail with their generous offer of 1.5x assessed value (that would assume a structure in habitable condition)That's what happens when someone inherits $$$ instead of earns it. Old Man Alfred is rolling over in his grave at all of the rent missed by the mistakes of his heirs by letting properties such as this and the movie theaters sit empty due to their antics.
The entire family for
SamanthaThe entire family for whatever reason they have chosen have always been a total disgrace and a serious problem for the three island towns my entire life!
How they can live with themselves is beyond me! This is much more than just greed I cant figure it out it is just so shameful!
The Hall Family has always
Islander On IslandThe Hall Family has always had true island values. Put yourself in their shoes and see it from the other side and I'm sure your outlook will be different.
Which shoes would those be?
MJ 02539Which shoes would those be? The ones worn by a family with a collection of holdings that are poorly maintained / abandoned despite the impact on others? There is a lack of awareness and complete indifference to how their behavior and decisions impacts others that is shameful. We have seen years pass where absolutely no one who is honest could possibly conclude that they have behaved reasonably.
This building has been an
Carolann Clynes Summit, NJThis building has been an eyesore for years but as an historic gem, it is vital that something be done to the property that stabilizes the roof & the core to deter further damage from the elements. Before the town takes it over, which I don't think is a good idea, I would like to see the Hall family put its money where it's mouth is finally and do some serious yet historically appropriate renovations to this resource. The CPC with enough knowledge of historic preservation should oversee all renovations to make sure this well-known resource is renovated appropriately. Not that I favor the Hall family but it should be compelled to finally do the right thing for the building and Edgartown's downtown. Surely with reasonable people there must be a legal way to make this happen.
Unfortunately Carolann using
robert green edgartownUnfortunately Carolann using the word reasonable and the Hall family in the same context is impossible..
The Halls will turn down the
Bob EdgartownThe Halls will turn down the offer. Their MO is to get someone to lease it and pay for all renovations, like they did in O.B. Hopefully Edg can take it via imminent domain and teach them a lesson.
Great news! The Town should
Thomas EdgartownGreat news! The Town should jump all over this. The Halls have proven time and time again, that they don't care what there properties look like. They are bad neighbors!
Ben stop pointing the finger
Very Annoyed VINEYARD HAVENBen stop pointing the finger because three fingers are pointing back at you!!! Once in your life do the right thing and stop this wretched complaining. I am sure the boards will fast track any permit you want within reason.
After a purchase for 1.5
MarieAfter a purchase for 1.5 million and renovation costs, what is the town going to do with it? Where will they get the money? Is this why they collect taxes?
They should not become landlords. Buy the house and sell it. Since everyone has talked a out it, sell it to a housing organization
The buying and selling part
WashAbhored EdgartownThe buying and selling part is scary. Look at what happened with the Warren House.
This will not be worth the
Tom EdgartownThis will not be worth the cost to the Town..... This will cost the Town a tremendous amount or resources and money.
The lawyers will benefit and the taxpayers will lose. Just watch how it unfolds.... it will also go on for many years before a conclusion. A suggestion would be for the Town and Mr. Hall to sit down and have a conversation and or try arbitration.
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