Some say it's an eyesore; Others hail its history

By GERRY GOLDSTEIN, Valley Breeze & Observer Correspondent

SMITHFIELD - Municipal Building Official Peter Scorpio says the Resolved Waterman Tavern is unsafe, and that he will issue a demolition order by May 26 unless the deficiencies are corrected.

Scorpio on April 16 sent a condemnation letter to John F. Emin, president of the Smithfield Preservation Society, which announced in December it was starting work on the blighted structure, but never did so.

Scorpio's letter said he's giving the group until May 16 to put the building in safe condition, and that otherwise he will set demolition into motion within 10 days.

The Preservation Society owns the historical, but dilapidated structure on Route 44 in Greenville, but the town owns the land, which it leased to the society in 2006 with a stipulation that significant improvements must be made within five years.

The condemnation order revives a controversy over the building that has persisted for decades, with some calling it a gem in the rough that should be preserved and others terming it a village disgrace that should be flattened.

The original tavern was built by Resolved Waterman in 1733, but was demolished in 1936. What remains today is an ell that had been added to the tavern in 1822 and later became a rural bank.

The structure has been vacant and deteriorating for the past 38 years, to the point where the town's fire marshal, Fire Department Capt. James Waterman II, told The Valley Breeze & Observer this week, "I'm surprised it's still standing - it's twisted and leaning." He said the building is "absolutely" a danger.

Waterman, by coincidence a direct descendent of the tavern's original builder, said another problem with the restoration project is that Emin's group never filed the required documentation for fire department approval or for a building permit, both of which are necessary for construction to start.

Emin said that occurred through a misunderstanding of regulations and that his group is in the process of filing the necessary documents.

He said he is confident that he can have the paperwork situation corrected, and the building made safe, by Scorpio's deadline.

This is not the first time the building has been condemned. A former building official took identical action in 2002, but the order was put on hold pending a possible restoration by the Smithfield Historical Society, which later bowed out, saying it didn't have sufficient money.

Emin said the preservation society has some $29,000 available in a state preservation grant to get the structure in shape.

Later he said, the society will seek private donations to complete a restoration which he has said in the past could cost between $350,000 and $500,000.

However, the Town Council apparently has concerns that Emin's group, if it cannot meet the deadline, will go to court to stop Scorpio from putting a wrecker's ball to the building.

At its meeting Tuesday night, the council was to go behind closed doors to discuss how to react to such a move. Discussions on litigation or potential litigation are exceptions to the state's Open Meeting Law that requires public discussion of governmental issues.

Emin told The Valley Breeze & Observer that he couldn't rule out possible court action, but added that it's probably a moot point since he thinks his group can meet town requirements.

But, he said, if it became necessary "for whatever reason, we would certainly do whatever we have to protect our rights to do what we plan to do."

Emin said the society's plan to get started on the building in December was thwarted by bad weather.

Since that time, he said, the group has changed contractors and is ready to proceed when it can get the necessary permits.

Emin and his group feel that the building's history, especially as an early rural bank, makes it an irreplaceable historical resource.

He envisions a tourist center, museum and meeting hall there.

Others, however, feel differently. A vocal opponent has been Dr. Paul E. Osenkowski, whose dental practice is next door.

He says the restoration plan is doomed to failure and that the structure over the years has been a disgraceful eyesore and attractive nuisance in the village center.

- Reach Gerry Goldstein at gerry76@cox.net.