I have been in business in Massachusetts for over 40 years as a carpenter/builder, and I specialize in old building repair. I have reviewed the condition of the former Bri-Mar Horse Stable and find it to be well built and structurally sound despite its post construction.
However, the past and current removal of interior plank walls obviously weakens the structure because those walls were designed to brace the building. Without the interior wall boarding, alternative bracing will be required to keep the building safe. Along with letting the roof leak, it appears the current de-bracing procedure intends to guarantee complete removal regardless of public interest or input.
Given a proper roof, the structure could be used for decades with very little annual maintenance. Rain gutters would minimize damage to the building’s exterior walls. Surely in the interest of fiscal management, other planned uses can fit in alongside the bird nesting area with the use of some form of partitions.
It seems a colossal waste of taxpayer funds to pay to remove such a sufficient building and then add insult to injury by spending a huge sum of money for a grandiose new building that will not improve upon the usefulness of the current building and quite possibly may not function as proposed.
I urge either rehabilitation of the entire building so that it could be used for both refuge operations and nesting of barn swallows or, at the very least, modify and reuse a portion of it for nesting barn swallows, etc.
Stuart Harris
Ashfield