Norway retains ownership of the Opera House tower

NORWAY — The historic clock tower that sits at the top of the Norway Opera House on Main Street will remain in the town's possession, voted the Board of Selectmen unanimously at its January 19 meeting.

The tower, with its historic E. Howard clock, and the bell beneath it, will be retained by the town. Board members agreed to transfer the ownership of the rest of the four-story building to the Norway Opera House Corp., and to ask for a permanent easement to access the tower should it need to make repairs.

Norway's Main Street is characterized by unique locally-owned shops, restaurants, and other businesses housed in architecturally significant buildings from the early 1900s, including the 1894 Norway Opera House that was once used for community plays, graduations, and other social events. Over the years, the building has fallen into disrepair.

In October, Norway voters accepted a $400,000 Communities for Maine's Future grant to renovate the six first-floor storefronts. Work includes refurbishing the basement area, wiring and plumbing, and bringing the basement and ground floor up to code. The job is expected to go out to bid in the spring.

In the fall, the town decided to transfer the building, clock tower and all, to Norway Opera House Corp. or some other entity. But on January 19, board members voted to keep the clock tower, including the weather vane, following a recommendation from Norway Town Manager David Holt.

"We need answers so we can move ahead," he said.

In 2010, voters authorized the selectmen to take the Opera House by eminent domain after it was declared a safety hazard.  The first-floor storefronts were flooded, as a result of a sagging roof that partially collapsed in 2007. The first floor has been vacant for decades.

"I've learned with this building not to forecast the future," said Holt. "I didn't think some years ago that the town would own it again." 

On January 15, Al Hodson of Resurgence Engineering in Portland climbed on top of a 100-foot ladder truck borrowed from the Oxford Fire Department to inspect the clock tower after two metal shingles blew off the roof.

Norway Opera House Corp.,  President Dennis Gray suggested that the town not only retain ownership of the clock, but also its protective shell, pointing out that "a future owner might not choose to repair the roof."

"If they didn't maintain the first floor, we would still be in the same boat," said Selectman Russ Newcomb.

Chairwoman Irene Millett said that she wants to make sure that the town has an easement so that it can access the tower whenever it needs to.

"I was surprised some years ago when some folks I had come to know ... took a great interest in preserving the clock," said Holt. "In such tight budget times, preserving the clock wasn't at the top of the list of things I thought the town had to do, but the voters have always said they wanted to preserve the clock and take care of it."

Photo:

TOWN KEEPS TOWER — Selectmen at their special town meeting on January 19 voted unanimously to retain ownership of the 1800s clock tower at the top of the historic Norway Opera House. Town Manager David Holt said that the transfer of ownership of the rest of the building is expected to go forward soon.