BY MATT HERSH

A plan to restore Salem’s depot train station has been in the works for more than a year, but project organizers are concerned that opportunities for free labor may be passing by.

Diane Paquette, a Salem resident with a passion for old buildings who has been spearheading the project, recently told selectmen that the governmental process is moving too slowly. Some contractors who have volunteered to do some of the work may lose interest, she said.

At the Monday, Aug. 27, Board of Selectmen meeting, Community Development Director William Scott provided an update about various projects currently underway in town, including the depot.  

He explained that the town will need to hire an architect to study and plan changes to the structure, including removing an addition. Licensed asbestos removers will also be required, he said.

Paquette said these services have been offered for free by various professionals in the area, but she has been unable to act without town permission.

“You can understand my frustration,” she said.  “We have people who will do this but we’re not being kept in the loop and they aren’t able to offer their services as volunteers.”

Selectmen Chairman Everett McBride said the town is obligated to formally put out a request for bids before moving forward.  Should a contractor want to volunteer their services, they can apply for the bid, he said.

Still, Paquette said selectmen told her that the bid process would begin in January. Now, nearly nine months later, no progress has been made.

“I’m trying to be diplomatic but I’m afraid that people will forget about (the project),” she said.

McBride said he understands Paquette’s desire to get the station spruced up but the town has been busy with other issues as well.

“The bottom line is that there have been other projects to work on and I’ll be honest, (the station) wasn’t the top priority,” he said.

Paquette requested that she and other volunteers be kept more up to date on the project’s timeline.

The move to renovate the old station began last October when Paquette appeared before selectmen with the idea.  Selectmen approved releasing $15,000 from the town’s depot trust fund to study the building and identify hazards.

Paquette said she hopes to see the 100-year-old station restored to its former glory. It might be used as a museum and a stop on Salem’s proposed rail trail.