By Steve Huffman
shuffman@salisburypost.com
SPENCER ó Members of the Spencer Board of Aldermen voted Tuesday to hold a public hearing next month concerning the fate of the former Spencer Fire Department.
The building is located at 118 Fourth St.
For months, the town has been seeking Requests For Proposals through the Centralina Council of Governments concerning what to do with the former fire department. Specifically, the town was looking to sell the building on the basis that it be used as an active business in order to generate revenue and relieve the municipality of the expense of upkeep while also placing the property back on the tax rolls.
The deadline for receipt of proposals has passed and aldermen were told Tuesday at their monthly board meeting that only one proposal was received. That came from Ken and Teresa Bean, the owners of Spencer Home Supply located at the corner of Salisbury Avenue and Fourth Street.
The Beans said they need a bigger building for their hardware/home supply business. They said they plan to renovate the fire department building while also maintaining its historical integrity.
Under the proposal the Beans submitted, they said they plan to maintain the building’s exterior in its current state while redoing the interior. The estimated cost of the work is $60,000 while the Beans offered $10,000 for the property. They submitted a bank statement stating that the money they’ll need is available at their discretion.
Aldermen voted unanimously to hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 for anyone wishing to provide feedback on the proposal.
In other matters handled at Tuesday’s meeting, aldermen:
– Heard from Beth Nance, the driving force behind Spencer Hometown Holidays. Nance said a Candlelight Tour of Homes is planned for Dec. 10 at five houses throughout town.
“We’re thrilled to bring that little treasure back to Spencer,” Nance said.
She said other activities planned by members of the Hometown Holidays committee include a house decorating competition and letters to Santa where a mailbox will be set up in town for little ones to place their correspondence to the North Pole.
There’s even talk of selling calendars and post cards relating to the Spencer holidays. A tree lighting, Nance said, will be held Dec. 4, and she asked aldermen to consider moving that from Park Plaza to Library Park.
– Recognized members of the Spencer 9-to-10-year-old all-stars who successfully defended their N.C. District 2 All-Star Tournament title. The team won out over 24 teams for the title. Team members were recognized at Tuesday’s meeting.