Peeved to find that my town is buying a former church for $68,500. I haven't been attending town halls since the beginning of the pandemic and they do NOT offer virtual options! They held a virtual public hearing about a block grant in March where I asked the clerk about making virtual a permanent option and she said she'd mention it to the board.
I've been keeping updated via their website yet she was MONTHS behind uploading the meeting minutes. They're FINALLY posted through October and I found in September's log that they had already made an offer and it was accepted. Apparently we have no say?
I did a quick search about municipalities buying property but didn't find all the information I was looking for. It did say "In order to acquire property, a municipality must be satisfied that the acquisition is necessary and suitable for the municipality in order to: perform its functions; accommodate its municipal court; conduct public business; be used by municipal departments; or perform any other public purpose" The reason they claimed was needing to expand their court due to the covid restrictions so this fits the requirements listed. Octobers file says the appraisal would be done later that month. It's possible the sale is already done.
2
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
7 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.So now I understand your objection. You feel that public money is going to the church when the town pays for the property, and you are right. However, this will be the end of the constant public support of the church in the form of property tax that was not charged to a place of worship. Now the town will own the building, and it will be used for town business.
My concern is that the town did this without the consent of the people in the town. If the town government charter allows the town manager or town council to spend these monies without bringing them to a town meeting, then you don't have any immediate recourse. I suggest you run for town council at the next election and run on a platform of fiscal responsibility.
Of course, if you are just objecting to them paying the church, the rightful owners of the property, for the property, I suspect that that's your problem. Would you have preferred that they just take it? Even if when a town takes a property through eminent domain, they have to pay a fair market value for it. Instead of railing against it, instead look at it as a win because there is no longer a church there.
jeff2145
Level 4
Jan 4, 2022
0
Why do you object to the purchase? Is there a stated reason for the purchase? 68k for any building seems like a good price.
indirect76
Level 7
Jan 3, 2022
0
Former churches can be great community/legal/arts/music properties, and this a great price. What is your objection?
tinkercreek
Level 8
Jan 2, 2022
1
@tinkercreeek The problem is public funds going to catholics. If there were no way to stop them from buying I would have at least liked to see a stipulation added that the money could only be used towards their elderly care programs. [adkmercy.org] or [stjh.org]
@soulless Interesting. Though I haven't always been fond of the folks I've purchased homes from, it was simply a business transaction.
I think buying a property at a bargain is a good thing.
They will hopefully be putting the property to better use.
BufftonBeotch
Level 8
Jan 2, 2022
3
Curious - what happened to the church? Did they move to a bigger building, or did the congregation dwindle to the point where they could not sustain the congregation so they decided to close and sell the church? If it's the latter, I would say it's a good use of tax dollars to acquire the building for a new (secular) use.
oc_jen
Level 4
Jan 2, 2022
2
Because religion has been declining for several years (I know it might not seem like it) there are more and more old churches going up for sale. I actually know someone who bought one (for 50k) with the intent of using it as a venue for musical events, possibly an office. he even has a dream of making it a humanist society venue. There is an amazing antique pipe organ in his "church" and he is a musician. Covid started right after he bought it and some things are on hold right now. Old church buildings make pretty good public spaces. What does it matter if the building was once a church or a school or a barn for that matter?
MyTVC15
Level 7
Jan 1, 2022
2
What is it you're concerned about? That the city is funneling money to the church ?
What does $68,000 even buy on the real estate market anymore?
twill
Level 7
Jan 1, 2022
2
My friend bought an old church right before covid started. He paid 50k for it. No one else wanted it and it needs work. There are a lot of old churches for sale right now because congregations are shrinking and they cannot afford the upkeep. I bet it is a pain in the butt to try to do anything with it especially now with covid. I think that town office space is a good use of an otherwise vacant building.
@twill The money is going to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. They have 99 parishes listed [rcdony.org] under their purview! They're not going away anytime soon. I say fine if a private citizen were to purchase but a government entity using our tax dollars to help fund a religious organization? NO!
Enjoy being online again!
Welcome to the community of good people who base their values on evidence and appreciate civil discourse - the social network you will enjoy.Create your free account
Share this post
Categories
Agnostic does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any content. Read full disclaimer.