MONTAGUE — The Montague Economic Development and Industrial Corporation (MEDIC) intends to discuss having major interest in acquiring the Farren Care Center property with the Selectboard next week.

The former long-term care facility on Montague City Road, which closed in April 2021, received a demolition recommendation in November of that year, with parent company Trinity Health of New England getting the go-ahead to proceed on Dec. 6, 2022 when the Historical Commission opted not to invoke the town’s demolition delay bylaw. Once demolition is complete, the plot of land will be loamed, seeded and given to the town. Either the Selectboard or MEDIC — a semi-public town organization that can buy and sell property — could take possession.

MEDIC Chair Richard Ruth said during a Wednesday meeting that he would be “all for” the corporation taking ownership of the property, as long as every member is willing to make the commitment. He feels the corporation would likely move at a faster pace to develop the property and get it back on the tax rolls than the Selectboard might.

“I think it would be kind of silly to let that go because it seems like this could be a very visionary piece of land for what we’re trying to do,” MEDIC member Kim Williams said of the opportunity.

Assistant Town Administrator Walter Ramsey advised MEDIC members that if they were to take on the property, they would likely need to be “more organized as a board.” Ramsey suggested that this might involve spending $5,000 to $6,000 to form a board of directors, while member Rob Steinberg suggested that MEDIC might need to meet more often than once per quarter as is the case now.

“If we take this piece of property on and decide we’re going to be real estate agents, we’re going to need a business plan,” Ruth agreed. “It’s going to be complicated and it’s going to be a lot of work.”

Ramsey noted that the town must also see through an “environmental due diligence” process, regardless of which specific entity takes ownership of the property. This would include a Phase II environmental site assessment to affirm soil health, a study that could cost $20,000 to $30,000 “at the low end.” The town could, however, apply for grant funding to cover the cost, Ramsey said.

Currently, the Farren is undergoing hazard abatement and interior demolition, Ramsey said. Full demolition, save for an adjacent former office building, a garage and a picnic pavilion, is expected to be complete by September.

While Ramsey anticipates a conversation with the Selectboard to be held during next Monday’s meeting, he said a vote during Annual Town Meeting would be needed to approve either entity taking possession of the property.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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