The Charlemont Selectboard — from left, Marguerite Willis, Dan Girard and Valentine Reid — meets at the Charlemont Fairgrounds on Tuesday to discuss using $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. STAFF PHOTO/BELLA LEVAVI

Charlemont residents convene at the Charlemont Fairgrounds on Tuesday to discuss using $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money. STAFF PHOTO/BELLA LEVAVI

Charlemont officials are considering buying this property at 104 Main St. Staff Photo/Paul Franz

Charlemont officials are considering buying this property at 104 Main St. Staff Photo/Paul Franz

CHARLEMONT — With the town having received $500,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money, the Selectboard held a meeting on Tuesday to consider ideas for how to use the money.

Selectboard member Valentine Reid said the board wants to use the $500,000 in a way that would generate revenue for the town, with the primary ideas involving buying the Willis property on Main Street or investing in the Charlemont Fairgrounds.

“At a minimum, we should set up something that is revenue-neutral,” Reid said. “We can’t set up a thing that starts becoming an expense.”

The money can be used for capital investments to existing or new infrastructure, and can be split between multiple projects. The Selectboard is unsure hold long the money can be held before using it.

Jon Schaefer, whose family owns Berkshire East Mountain Resort, suggested that the ARPA funding be used alongside other grants, so the money can be stretched to its fullest extent.

There were several options the town could use the money for, but the main point of discussion involved buying the 4.15-acre Willis property located at 104 Main St.

“Maybe the best thing to do is to secure the property now,” commented Selectboard member Dan Girard.

The board hopes to buy the property in the near future, and apply for grants to renovate it in the coming years. However, first the town plans to pay for an assessment to see if the building can be renovated or if it needs to be demolished. As the property also abuts the Deerfield River, all construction must have a 200-foot setback from the water.

The Willis property is currently under litigation through a civil lawsuit. It was suggested at the meeting that if a potential buyer presents themselves, such as the town, the lawsuit may be expedited.

“The building is worth saving,” Girard said. “It is part of our town history.”

The property is part of the original settlement of Charlemont, according to Town Administrator Sarah Reynolds. She said Capt. Moses Rice was scalped in the fields on the property during early battles with Native American tribes.

Girard said the board hopes to construct a parking lot with a solar panel canopy, similar to the setup at the Franklin County Jail and House of Correction in Greenfield. Resident Bill Coli proposed there could also be public toilets and a visitors center.

Girard explained the building could have rental spaces where artists could set up shops, allowing for much-needed retail space while providing revenue for the town. Additionally, he said the top floor could potentially be used by the Historical Society.

Reynolds explained Charlemont can potentially receive up to $400,000 through a Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) grant to pay for building renovations. Grants through the state’s Green Communities program could potentially pay for the solar panel additions.

The other popular idea at the meeting was using the ARPA money to invest in the Charlemont Fairgrounds. Girard explained investing in the fairgrounds would attract events like flea markets and car shows that would generate revenue for the town.

Coli suggested adding RV hookups at the fairgrounds, creating a camping area when the land is not being used for events. Reid expressed concerns about this idea, however, saying, “We need to be mindful of the character of the grounds if we put camping on the property.” Another proposal involved insulating the fairgrounds building.

The creation of a town beach, building an outdoor amphitheater and installing composting toilets at the Shunpike Rest Area were other ideas briefly discussed Tuesday as potential uses for the ARPA funding.

Contact Bella Levavi at blevavi@recorder.com or 413-930-4579.

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