2021 Community Report
2021 has continued to present challenges to all of us as the pandemic wears on. At the Westford Common Hall, we’ve used that time to get systems and procedures into place to help take us into the future. We are excited to now be available to the community as a space where people can gather for life celebrations, music, and events.
The Westford Common Hall (WCH in its landmark site at the top of the Common has been settling into its new role in our community Built as a church in 1840, this historical building is transitioning from a place of worship to a multi-use community asset dedicated to inclusively serve the community of Westford. The Westford Common Hall, as an independent non-profit organization, states the following: Our mission is to offer a gathering space for diverse communities to connect, share, and celebrate; with a vision to be a landmark assembly space committed to growing the spirit and economy of the community. To this end we are home to the Westford Food Shelf, the Annual Clothes Drive, the Fall through Spring Music Series, Pop-up artist events, art installations, and many life celebration services such as weddings and memorials. As we emerge from this health crisis, the building can be reserved for community events, art exhibits, music, book talks, educational classes, social gatherings, and appropriate private functions.
We are coming out of the pandemic energized to continue pursuing many grant opportunities to move this 19th Century structure into the 21st Century. We used the quiet times that the pandemic forced on us all and worked on internal reorganization like consolidating finances and administrivia to become a non-profit, the Westford Common Hall. We have been able to install internet and public WIFI with some of the funds from a budgeted line item from The Town. The connection is good at the parking lot and folks are welcome to use that connection!
Our biggest challenges are upgrading the heating system and becoming ADA compliant. The current furnace is being used on borrowed time. A heat pump paired with solar panels installed on the south sloping roof is the plan for a new heating system. According to a Certified Solar Installer and Building Analyst it has the potential to produce “around 21,000 KWH a year and could be a part of a group metered system. Clearly oversized for the building; it could be a great opportunity for people in town to buy in.” Charging stations could also be implemented. This intersects with many of the Town Plan Goals and VT State goals for reaching its carbon emission reduction goal.
There are many grants that we are tracking down and pursuing to help with our goals of moving the building into the 21st Century. In January 2021, the WCH received a Preservation Trust of Vermont /Robert Sincerbeaux Fund matching grant. This funded a certified consultant to prepare a general assessment of the building, a necessary first step for application to any VT grant funder. Future grant opportunities to meet our goals require matching grants. Our fundraising efforts in 2022 and likely beyond will be toward creating funds for those matching grants. The WCH Board appreciates and supports the thoughtful work the Town Planners are doing to protect our community while preparing for the revitalization of the infrastructure the Town needs.
To contact the Westford Common Hall please email us at Info@westfordcommonhall.org.
Respectfully submitted by the Westford Common Hall Board
Wendy Doane
Maura O’Brien
George Keener
John Doane
Amber Haller
Rich Staab
Marge Hamrell
Julia Andrews
