Historic Mass. firehouse gets new lease on life

By Katina Caraganis
The Sentinel & Enterprise

ASHBY, Mass. — It's the little Old Engine House that could.

After undergoing extensive repairs over the past few years, the 111-year-old firehouse at 850 Main St. will now be getting more use by the Historical Society, which is leasing the building.

The building has been plagued with structural problems for years, but with the help of a $20,000 grant from the secretary of state's office, the building is now deemed structurally sound.

The building has been stabilized, but a proper heating system isn't expected to be in until January at the earliest. Nonetheless, Historical Society President Paula Bogue, who was elected to the post last month, has been brainstorming ways to get the best use out of the building.

Along with incorporating a museum and private showrooms in the building, she also wants to begin a program on the history of spinning and fabric manufacturing, a barn tour, and a cooperative program with the Ashby Elementary School where the society can bring various programs into classrooms and in return the students can visit the society's building.

Bogue is also planning a program on the history of firefighting and to showcase the town's two antique fire trucks housed at the building.

"It's very important to have the building open now. We haven't had the building and the museum open, and a lot of people forget what the historical society is all about and what we do," Bogue said.

She said she attended the town's Pumpkin Festival this fall and said residents were amazed at how much the society does.

"We do have a lot of treasures in Ashby. It's nice to show the public what we have and what we're doing," Bogue said.

Bogue said the first order of business to go before the Finance Committee on Wednesday to discuss an increase in the building's utility costs.

According to Historical Commission Chairman Dave Boutwell, who will be going before the board, the appearance is more of a formality than anything else.

He said because the building hasn't been used on regularly over the last five years, it's only natural that utility costs will increase once the building is used more.

"As we're starting to make more improvements and make it more functional, we're trying to get a handle on things," said Boutwell. "With increased usage comes increased utility cost. That's where the spike comes from."

Boutwell said utility bills over the past few years have averaged under $50 a month.

"To go from a number like that to something that is double or triple that, is a significant jump in the budget," he said.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Peter McMurray says he isn't worried about the jump in utility costs.

"When they use the building more it's going to go up, but it's not a big deal," said McMurray.

Copyright 2010 MediaNews Group, Inc. and Mid-States Newspapers, Inc.
All Rights Reserved