Town Council Debates Historic Significance of Church Organ Restoration
Councilors seek documentation proving historical value before approving CPA funds for 103-year-old pipe organ
WEYMOUTH - March 17 - The Weymouth Town Council is requesting additional documentation to prove the historical significance of a 103-year-old pipe organ before approving a $15,800 Community Preservation Act funding request for its restoration.
During the March 17 Town Council meeting, Reverend Barbara Dingwall Mills of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Weymouth presented the request to restore the Hastings Hutchings pipe organ located at the church at 83 Sea Street in North Weymouth.
"It's about 103 years old and it is currently mildly playable shall I say, but not up to what it should be," Dingwall Mills told the council. "We've put in I think it's $36,000 from our church itself."
The church is also conducting a fundraiser through the Unitarian Universalist Association with a goal of raising $10,000 by April 4. The total restoration cost is estimated at $60,000.
"Once all that is completed, we're told that the worth of the organ will be about between $400,000 and $450,000," Dingwall Mills said.
Several councilors expressed concerns about the historical significance of the organ to the town, which is a requirement for CPA historic preservation funds.
"The question is whether or not there's historical significance to the town," Councilor Rick Coughlin said. "There certainly may be to the church, with no question with that, but the question is whether or not this historical significance to the town."
Councilor Gary MacDougall echoed these concerns.
"When you look at a 103-year-old organ, it's old, but we don't know what the historical nature of it is," MacDougall said. "I think when you look at these funds, we have to be careful about what we spend them on because people will consider anything that's old, you know, historical significance."
Rev. Dingwall Mills noted that she was never asked to provide historical documentation during the CPA application process, which began in October.
"Anything they asked of us I provided, and no request was ever asked to provide historical documentation of the worth or historic value of the pipe organ," she said.
The Budget Management Committee had initially voted 3-1 for unfavorable action on the request. However, after discussion, the Town Council voted to refer the measure back to the committee to give Dingwall Mills time to gather documentation proving the organ's historical significance.
Councilor Greg Shanahan, who voted against the unfavorable action in committee, said, "As much as the pipe organ could be over 100 years old, I feel that's significant. I feel the pipe organ serves a church that serves the community."
Dingwall Mills agreed to contact the Weymouth Historical Society and search church records for documentation about the organ's historical value.
"I know that Hutchings and Hastings were the primary builders of pipe organs and that they were like the premier pipe organ makers of that time," she said. "But if I can get some documentation on that, I'll happily get it to you."
Police Department Budget Transfers Approved
The Town Council unanimously approved two budget transfers for the Weymouth Police Department totaling $459,400.
The first transfer of $51,900 from the fiscal year 2025 reserve fund will cover training costs associated with hiring six new police recruits.
The second transfer of $407,500 will address projected overtime expenses in the department. The funds will be transferred from salary line items to overtime accounts.
Other Major Items
- The council received a $9.5 million borrowing request for a lower central sewer improvement project to replace approximately 1,200 linear square feet of existing 30-inch reinforced concrete sewer with new 42-inch sewer. The project includes crossings of the MBTA railroad.
- A measure to accept a monetary gift of $106,388 from Paul and Crystal Murray in memory of their son Jack Murray was introduced. The donation would provide access and opportunity for music to Weymouth students at the Maria Chapman Middle School band for at least the next 11 years.
- The council received a request to enter into a five-year contract for ELA curriculum with Great Minds Wit and Wisdom, commencing July 1, 2025.
- The council approved the appointment of Christian Bragdon to the Waterfront Committee for a three-year term expiring June 30, 2028.
- Twelve reappointments to various town boards and committees were approved, including appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Scholarship Committee, Housing Authority, Board of Library Trustees, Memorial Committee, Health Board, Conservation Commission, Historical Commission, Board of Trustees, Board of Assessors, and Planning Board.
- A zoning amendment related to floodplain district ordinance was referred to the Ordinance Committee. The changes are required to maintain compliance with new FEMA maps, anticipated to become effective July 8, 2025.
- A contract for independent audit services for fiscal years 2025, 2026, and 2027 was referred to the Budget Management Committee.
The next regularly scheduled Town Council meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the council chambers.