The Somerset reporter., 1904-12-29
The Town and Hall Association

The question of the rights of the town
to the use OF Coburn Hal aud an office
in Coburn block and the legal status
now that the building is destroyed by
fire, Is causing something in the way of
discussion among Skowhegan citizens
Whether It's rights are destroyed by the
destruction of the building or whether 1t
has claim against the Hall Association
appears to be abe issue.
These rights were originally acquired
by virtue of vote Il the town passed
on March 4th, 1886, and a deed of the
town hall property. The LAT gusge OF
that vote as it now appears on the town
records is as follows:
Voted that the town convey the pres
ent Town Hall Building and lot to the
Skowhegan Hall Association, and also
exempt the building proposed to be
erected by said corporation from taxes
in consideration and on condition that
said corporation shall grant To the town
a perpetual lease of the hall proposed 10
said building for all town purposes and
also room auitable for a town office.
free from rent except as above provided,
and shall sufficiently guarantee that said
hall shall be conveniently fitted up and
kept In good repair while the building
shall stand.o
The selectmen were authorized to con-
tract with the corporation, and to do all
things necessary to carry the vote into
effect. In conformity to these instrue-
tions, they conveyed the old Town Hall
property, which is the property where
the SOMERSET REPORTER building now
stands, to The Hall Association, the con-
sideration being stated as 82200, ION
condition that the trustees of the Hall
Association shall fulfil the vote of the
town of Skowhegan as to perpetual lease
of the hail for town purposes and an
office for the use of seectmen as per
vote of town records dated March oath,
1886.
pears to US that the former arrangement
is off, and that the Town and Hall Asso.
citation are free from the conditions of
the contract between them, but we
know enough about law to realize it is
safe to hear what the court rules upon
any issue, before legal rights can be cor
rectly stated. This will all come around
In good time, either by judicial determi-
nation or mutual agreement of the par
ties in interest.
There is much interest manifested
among our citizens relative to the matter
of rebuilding on the Coburn Hall lot and
the adjacent lot on the west owned by
w. z. Ordway, and various plans are ad.
vanced relative thereto.
The initiative must necessarily rest
with Coburn Hall Association. The AS
ISOLATION has held a meeting and talked
over the situation somewhat and has
made arrangements to have an architect
make preliminary plan and sketch of
the property, with view of getting at
something definite in way OF the struc-
aure to be erected. The Association
will hold its annual meeting on Satur-
day, January 9TH, when 1t will be pre-.
pared to take the matter into considera
ton and determine what course it is de-
sirable to pursue.
The feeling prevails quite extensively
in our town that it is very desirable that
a cepacious public hall should be ar
ranged for in the building to be erected,
which ought not to be much smaller
than the old hall. II is quite probable
that the town will be asked to take q
hand in the construction of this public
hall in some way.