The effort to save the Little Red Schoolhouse, a building that predates the town, took another twist this week and its status remains in limbo.
Selectmen have refused to accept the building as a gift or designate a piece of town land for it to be placed until they get more information.
Historical Commission Chairwoman Judith Howard said yesterday she hopes to have all the details to present to selectmen Sept. 9.
"We've got all the information except for the mover," said Howard.
General Manager John Carroll has been working with the Historical Commission to iron out some of the details of a plan to move the building from its current location on private land at 2 Sumner St. and place it on town-owned land, where the commission could restore the building.
Carroll said he has found a site, but details about the move are still fuzzy.
Carroll believes he has found an appropriate location at the George H. Morse House, 1285 Washington St., but said the mover originally picked to move the building on a flatbed truck cannot do the job until mid-October.
The 27-by-24-foot brick house, constructed in 1788 and modified in 1877, is privately owned and slated for demolition to make way for construction of homes.
The schoolhouse was going to be demolished this past spring, but Howard said the owners have been generous in giving the commission extra time to try to save the building.
"I feel badly for the owners, this has taken too long," said Howard.
Carroll said he is going to try to find another mover who could do the job sooner.
But there could be another problem: the roof.
Carroll has voiced concerns that the only plausible routes to transport the building to South Norwood run through Walpole, and said the building may be too high and cause problems with overhanging trees, especially in Walpole, which would need to give Norwood permission to use its road for the move.
The commission suggested taking off the schoolhouse roof to make the move easier, but Carroll said he doesn't think that is a possibility.
"The (mover) said you can't take off the roof without damaging the structure," Carroll said.
There are also hurdles to clear on the site. Carroll said the commission would need permission from the Zoning Board of Appeals to place the house at the Morse House site because there is not enough of a buffer to the rear property line under the town's zoning requirements.
Howard said the commission is committed to raising money for the project, but said it would help the fundraising effort immensely if the selectmen would embrace the concept and accept the schoolhouse.
"Some people won't give or make any commitment until they know it's going to go somewhere," said Howard.
Daily News staff writer Brian Falla can be reached at 781-433-8339 or bfalla@cnc.com.
