Town accepts Hannaford land donation

By William J. Kemble, Correspondent Daily Freeman February 16, 2006

RED HOOK - Town Board members have agreed to accept a donation of about 2 acres off U.S. Route 9 from Hannaford Bros. Co. to the town as part of plans to have St. Margaret's Home placed on state and federal historic registers.
The donation approved during a Town Board meeting Tuesday will still require town Planning Board approval for a subdivision from property used by the company for its supermarket.
St. Margaret's Home was built in the 1800s as a home for girls. It was later used as homeless shelter and was being used as a shelter in 1994 when a Red Hook man was murdered by one of the shelter's residents.
Officials noted the company will require that use of the property be limited to not-for-profit activities.
"The premises shall only be used and occupied for municipal uses, i.e. offices, historical society uses, or leased to a non-profit corporation," said Town Attorney Al Trezza.
"In no event shall the premises be used and occupied for retail sales or services or other commercial purposes whether commercial or not-for-profit," he said. "It is the intent of this conveyance that the premises shall be open to the public."
Officials were told that a clarification should be made on the types of support activities that can take place on the grounds.
"The existence of a gift shop to further the funds of the not-for-profit corporation is not a commercial purpose nor should it be considered so," Trezza said.
Town officials are seeking $350,000 from the state Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation to restore the building, which has been vacant since 1994 and is reported to have significant deterioration.
Land use regulations require that Hannaford receive town Planning Board approval for the subdivision.

©Daily Freeman 2006

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