Although the building is coming for free, there are costs associated with it. Officials say that it needs repairs estimated at about $30,000 and that maintenance could cost as much as $15,000 annually.
The vote by the selectmen was 3-2 in favor of accepting the building. Those who cast the dissenting votes, David Gilchrist and Lowell Humphrey, said they are concerned about those costs. Humphrey said grange hall, which is in the north end of town, might take would take away from other town buildings that need attention.
"This could be the gift that keeps on taking," Humphrey said.
Gilchrist said town staff is stretched thin coping with existing municipal properties that need maintenance and that the grange hall would just add to the burden.
At a meeting in November, Land Trust President Barry Deutsch said his group is growing but has no space of its own for an office to store its records or hold meetings.
Selectmen who spoke in favor of accepting the hall said it provides a good opportunity for the town to help local groups that need building space but cannot afford to buy or rent it on their own. Under the terms of the donation, the town can use the hall only to help non-profit groups. If officials decide the town no longer needs the building, it must be turned over to the Connecticut State Grange.