News

Old Hamilton library building has many suitors

By Steve Landwehr
STAFF WRITER
Published: November 26, 2008

HAMILTON — The old public library building was never as popular as it became the day it closed. Everyone, it seems, has a vision for its future use.

The building was once again on the selectmen's radar screen Monday night, and they pledged to get the discussion back on track, pronto.

A committee studying the building met last summer and was scheduled to meet again in September, but didn't, and there's been no action since.

Selectman Dick Low pointed out the lack of leadership.

"There needs to be a prime mover on this. Who's the prime mover?" he asked.

After several seconds of silence, Low said, "That's why it isn't moving."

The Council on Aging makes the most use of the building, presently, and would like it to become its permanent home. There have been discussions about merging with the Wenham Council on Aging, but while there has been interest in combining programs, the good citizens of Enon — or at least their representatives — are not interested in sharing any responsibility for the building.

So what's this about the two towns merging?

Anyway, the short-term discussion was about how to respond to groups that want to use the building until its fate is determined, and Selectman Bill Bowler, who was in the mood for humor all night, posed a question.

"What do we do if Mother Teresa shows up and wants to do a fundraiser?" he asked.

Fellow board member Dick Carey didn't hesitate.

"If she shows up, we'll let her do it."

Time in a bottle

What seemed to be a routine agenda item devolved into confusion and delay.

It was the annual approval of business licenses, and the sticking point became the closing time for restaurants that serve alcohol.

When Low introduced the liquor license for the American Legion, he said it could pour liquor from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Saturday. Paul Thober, owner of the Weathervane Tavern, was in the front row and pointed out that a town bylaw dictates a midnight closing for all bars.

That triggered a scurried search through the bylaws by Assistant Town Administrator Allison Jenkins and Town Administrator Candace Wheeler. They couldn't find the documentation, but by that point everyone agreed Thober was right, and a new license had to be printed.

Bowler questioned whether private clubs might operate under different rules.

"I'm just being difficult this week because it's my turn," he quipped.

Later, the license petition from the Hungry Fox was amended. They'd asked to be open only until 9:30 p.m., but selectmen changed it to midnight so all licenses are uniform.

Lonely boy

As for the Hungry Fox request for both liquor and food licenses, Bowler recused himself because he's done legal work for them. Later, Low recused himself from votes on the Myopia Hunt Club licenses because he's a member.

All the recusing left Carey musing.

"I'm getting a little sensitive," he said. "I don't belong to any clubs, and I haven't done any work for anybody."

Blinded by the light

Carey has been shining a light on the town's streetlights, with an eye to cutting costs. Turns out there's not a lot more that can be done.

There are about 530 lights by Carey's count, but approximately 200 of those were shut off years ago. All the lights are already fitted with the most economic bulbs currently available, so turning more of them off is the only way to conserve.

Just like at home.

Good cause

Nothing to do with the selectmen, but we're sure they'd endorse this event.

The first of what is planned as the annual Gabe's Run will be held Friday at Patton Park.

Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund established in memory of Gabriel Pacione, who was killed in a car crash on Grapevine Road in August.

The Wenham senior was a stand-out track and cross country runner, and the memorial run will be a 2.9-mile cross country. Actually, there have been so many entrants that two races have been scheduled, one for men and one for women.

There will also be a one-mile family run.

Registration is from 8 to 9:30 a.m. at Winthrop School, 325 Bay Road. Entry fee is $25 for the 2.9-mile race, $10 for the Family Fun Run. The race will be run at Patton Park. Check out www.gabesrun.org for further details.