Monterey Community Center
 

Community Center Timeline


 
  Summer 1995: Edith L. Wilson passes away  
  May 1996: Town of Monterey votes to accept her bequest of house
and 28.6 acres of land
 
  1996 - 2004 Wilson McLaughlin House committee researches various options; addition is removed from house; personnel on committee change with the years  
  Summer 2004: Current WMH committee formulates Community Center plan, non-profit corporation function  
  December 2004: Friends of Wilson McLaughlin House, Inc. (FWMH) incorporation papers filed  
  January 2005: FWMH corporation recognized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts  
  April 2005: FWMH granted tax-exempt status by the IRS ( 501(c)(3) non-profit status )  
  May 2005: Town of Monterey votes to lease the house to FWMH for the purpose of creating a Community Center  
  December 2005: Monterey Select Board and FWMH sign 5-year lease with option to renew  
  January 2006: FWMH circulates Request for Proposal from architects for Community Center design  
  March 2006: FWMH hires Clark & Green Architects, Great Barrington, MA  
  Spring 2006: FWMH raises "seed money" from citizens and BTCF Grant  
  August 2006: FWMH holds Tag Sale and George Packer Lecture fundraisers; Monterey Piecemakers initiate creation of a quilt to be auctioned as fundraiser  
  August 2006: FWMH presents renovation plan for house with addition to public  
  October 2006: Monterey Piecemakers quilt is auctioned  
  December 2006: FWMH requests Select Board petition Probate Court for relief from provision of will  
  January 2007: Select Board initiates petition of Probate Court  
  May 2008: Probate Court hearing and decision: Town may build a different structure if desired  
  Summer/Fall 2008: FWMH researches requirements and costs for main floor renovation  
  December 2008: FWMH votes to undertake renovation of main floor of house only  
  February 2009: FWMH submits Building Permit Application for the renovation  
  March 2009: Building Inspector determines that Special Permit required since the property lies in the Agricultural-Residential District, and the Community Center would be a municipal use  
  June 2009: Building Inspector gives Building Permit for repair/reshingling of roof  
  July 2009: FWMH submits Special Permit Application to ZBA on behalf of the Town (since the property belongs to the Town, and the entire property will be used for municipal purposes)  
  July 2009: Roof repair and reshingling complete  
  October 2009: ZBA Special Permit Hearing and Decision - permit granted for Community Center use of property  
  November 2009: Planning begins for the Community Garden, to open Spring 2010