MONSON — Fran Nothe, president of the Monson Bellmen Antique Fire Apparatus Museum, presented an idea to the Monson Select Board at its Aug. 13 meeting to gift the museum to the town following difficulties in private maintenance.
At the meeting, Nothe explained that a decline in membership had made it more difficult to maintain the museum, suggesting that transferring control to the town could help to keep the museum in function.
The private museum, located next to the Monson Fire Department, displays historical fire safety equipment from the Monson area. Its history includes six restored fire trucks, with the oldest a Maxim 500 GPM Pumper from 1933, and other unique equipment, such as a hand-drawn tub, Nothe stated.
“We started restoring fire trucks, specifically from the town of Monson, [and] tracked them down, brought them back, took them all apart, put them back together, [and painted them],” he said. Nothe explained that the museum features the “complete history” of the Monson Fire Department. It was first opened in 1971 by Andrew Piwcio, a chemistry teacher and Fire Department assistant chief.
While maintaining the museum did not require “a lot of money,” Nothe explained that difficulty with fundraising made it more challenging. “I had high hopes but it’s more than I can handle. And I have talked to other retirees or people that I thought had the ability to carry on … but there doesn’t seem to be any interest in carrying the torch further,” he said.
In response, the Select Board discussed required next steps to assess whether the town would be able to accept the museum as a gift. Select Board Chair John Morrell highlighted that further information was needed, such as details on maintenance costs, while member Patricia Oney suggested that private organizations could also be contacted about potentially taking over the museum, noting the Monson Fire Department Association.
In addition to maintenance costs, other considerations include heating costs, as well as the costs for insurance of the building, equipment, and historical items, Nothe said, emphasizing that the property was “in great shape.”
“It’s a great history of fire service,” Nothe said, stating that the museum had previously received support from the community, including a grant from former state Sen. Stephen Brewer and an addition built by students from Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical School. He highlighted that he would “gladly” remain involved with the museum if transferred.
Nothe’s discussion with the board was the first step in assessing the idea. Moving forward, “internal conversations” with the town’s insurance company and discussions about the financial impact of acquiring the property were needed, Town Administrator Jennifer Wolowicz stated.
If the town agreed to move forward with accepting the museum, the plan would require Town Meeting approval, Wolowicz said. She stated that she would discuss the idea with Fire Chief Brian Harris.
