CHARLEMONT — The Selectboard voted this week in favor of pursuing acquisition of the Charlemont Inn through foreclosure, so it can sell the property to a local developer to be turned into low-income elderly housing.

Byron Gilchrest, a Charlemont resident and president and owner of the Boston real-estate development firm Gilchrest Associates, came before the Selectboard earlier this week to ask for its help in acquiring the Charlemont Inn.

“I’ve been trying for a while now to find a way for the Charlemont Inn to function and work,” Gilchrest said.

Gilchrest previously tried to acquire the property after Charlotte Dewey, longtime owner of the Charlemont Inn, lost control of it in July 2019, and the Western Housing Court appointed him as a receiver to have purview over the long-vacant building.

However, when Gilchrest spoke with an attorney from Holyoke who specializes in receiverships, they encountered a problem. They could not get the title insured because Dewey had borrowed a large sum of money, but never paid off this debt. Furthermore, the woman from whom Dewey had borrowed the money died a few years ago, requiring Gilchrest and the attorney to contact the heirs.

The heirs, Gilchrest said, were not cooperative, however. He said they called it lost property and advised him to drop the matter.

Two weeks later, Gilchrest said, an attorney told him that Dewey filed for bankruptcy. Foreseeing a lot of legal hurdles and expenses, he pulled out of the receivership.

“Now, I’m coming back with something that may work,” Gilchrest said.

According to Gilchrest, if the town were to acquire the property through foreclosure, it would clear the title flaw and get the Charlemont Inn out of bankruptcy. Then the town would be able to sell the property to Gilchrest. If the town doesn’t acquire the property, it is at risk of going into bankruptcy and would be frozen, unavailable for him to purchase, for about five years.

Gilchrest said the structure wouldn’t survive that long without restoration or upkeep. The Charlemont Inn was in continuous operation from about 1775 until 2011, when it was foreclosed on for back taxes. Its then-owners regained the property, but not before serious depredations by vandals and the passage of time had compromised its integrity.

Following the Selectboard’s unanimous approval this week, legal counsel will pursue a path to acquire the property through foreclosure. Once it has done so, the town would be able to sell the Charlemont Inn through legal means, such as a public auction where Gilchrest could bid on the property. If he were to be outbid by another party, such as Berkshire East, he said he wouldn’t be angered.

“They’ll do something good for the property, and good for the town, too,” Gilchrest said.

Gilchrest’s proposal estimated the renovation work would cost approximately $500,000 to construct 15 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units, restricted for low-  and moderate-income households with at least one household member over 65 years old. A rough timeline could see the project approved by next year, with construction starting in the fall of 2021. The project could be completed and available for occupancy by late summer 2022.

“I really want to see us do something with the property,” commented Selectboard member Sarah Reynolds. “I’m excited if we can come up with a use for it that we can all agree on and that gets back into our tax roll, and is a usable property.”

Selectboard member Jay Healy agreed with Reynolds, and said he wants to make the property functional as quickly as possible.

Selectboard Chair Marguerite Willis added that it is important for the town to develop elderly housing options.

“This is a very positive event for the town of Charlemont,” Willis said. “We’re excited, although we realize it’s going to take some time.”

Charlemont Planning Board member Bob Nelson was on the telephone conference meeting, and said he, too, is in favor of getting the Charlemont Inn property in use again.

Willis said the process will require more work by legal counsel, and the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on a potential development plan during future public meetings, Planning Board hearings and Annual Town Meeting.

Gilchrest has owned a secondary home in Charlemont for 44 years, and recently moved to the town permanently. He also recently acquired the former Mole Hollow Candle building in Shelburne Falls that he is planning to develop into apartments.

Zack DeLuca can be reached at zdeluca@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.]]>

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