AMHERST – Two buildings in the Emily Dickinson Local Historic District will be better protected from the risk of fire following Town Meeting action Wednesday.
Members at the sixth session approved spending $190,000 from the Community Preservation Act account for a fire suppression system for the Evergreens, one of two homes that make up the Emily Dickinson Museum complex on Main Street, and $200,000 for a fire sprinkler system for the First Congregational Church at the corner of Main and Churchill streets.
Jane Wald, executive director of the Dickinson Museum, said Thursday she appreciates that both the town and Amherst College, which owns the museum, are supporting the protection of a cultural asset of international literary importance.
“This will give us the funding to put in a fire suppression system at the Evergreens, probably this coming winter,” Wald said.
The town money will cover 45 percent of the cost, which will be matched by the college. The remaining money to pay for the system will be raised through donations, Wald said.
The Evergreens was built in 1856 for Emily Dickinson’s brother, Austin Dickinson.
A similar fire suppression system was recently completed at the Homestead, where Emily Dickinson lived, which was paid, in part, through a Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, as well as a match from the college, Wald said.
The Homestead and the Evergreens are part of a regular tour program for thousands of visitors annually, Wald said.
“These are both national register landmarks, and they will both finally be safe,” Wald said.
Increased use of the church for various activities, including a preschool, meetings of groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, and the Not Bread Alone soup kitchen, is putting the building at risk because it is open about 12 hours a day.
In addition, it has become a place where many homeless people spend time to stay warm during the cold weather months.
“They are overwhelmed by homeless people every day,” said Diana Stein, a member of the CPA Committee.
Sprinklers are planned as part of a larger renovation project including an elevator, electrical and upgrades to the rest rooms.
Ralph Faulkingham, a trustee for the church, told Town Meeting that the board has not yet decided if it will accept a historic preservation deed restriction, which would be required if it receives the money. That, he said, will be decided in June. Such a restriction would ensure that the building remains intact even if the church were to dissolve.
Before either expenditure was approved, some concerns were raised by Town Meeting members.
Members worried that because the museum is owned by Amherst College, it should pay a higher portion of its $2 billion endowment to fully cover the cost.
John Fox of Precinct 10 said he believes the college’s financial contributions to the town only offset services provided by Amherst.
But Wald, who is a Town Meeting member, said the museum only raised 85 percent of its budget, with the college providing a stipend equivalent to 15 percent.
And Leo Maley, of Precinct 5, said he was concerned that funding a project at a house of worship could violate the separation of church and state.
“I think it is inappropriate for that reason to be providing funding for a church project,” Maley said.
But even with other members sympathizing with Maley, the spending was approved.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
