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The town owns the building and the Town Council voted to let Town Manager Barbara R. Gilbert apply for the grant from the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation.
And while they gave the go-ahead for the grant, some councilors were concerned with the magnitude of the problems at the building.
"That whole thing is an unforeseen condition," said councilor Tim Moriarty.
Council member Frank Szeps asked if there was a point where a new building for the historical society would make sense.
"By no means am I suggesting we destroy the building," Szeps said. "But how much money? We've got to be careful here."
Gilbert said the once the report is done the town would pursue all grant opportunities for the improvements and said it will also look into the possibility of federal infrastructure funds for the nationally registered historic building.
The society already knows there is much work to be done at the site. A 1997 study detail many deficiencies at the building and estimated the cost of the work at more than $317,000.
One of the biggest problems with the building, first built in 1803 as a navigational ship commander school, is simply that "pillars" in a crawl space support the first floor, which in turn supports the second floor, said James Kochanek, chairman of the renovation committee.
Those underpinnings, built before concrete was used in construction, have understandably decayed over the years.
"That has really been the driving factor - to keep the building from decaying," Kochanek said.
The 1997 plan called for removing the existing posts a pair at a time, excavating for concrete footing, pouring concrete piers re-establishing original post if possible. It also called for excavating space below the floor, digging a mechanical pit, forming and pouring footings, forming and pouring walls and other related work. There was also much framing, flooring, electrical, HVAC and other work detailed in the study.
And while the society certainly knows many of the problems at the site, a newer study is now needed, Kochanek said.
The new study would provide a condition analysis with emphasis of structural deficiencies. It will include conditions, photos and sketches to describe corrective measure. "Order of magnitude" cost estimates would also be provided,
The historical society does have numerous items in storage. That was done to take weight off the second floor.
And while its members know the cost of fixing the building will be expensive, it means a lot to the society. The building was slated to be torn down in 1962, when a group formed what is now the society, to save it.
The study, which should take less than two months from the time it is started, would be the first phase of the project. Phase 2 would be finding funding to make the needed improvements.
In the mean time, the historical society is working on some fundraisers to take care of what it can.
"We're trying to raise money to do the small things," Kochanek said.
For example, while an air furnace provides some head downstairs there is not heat upstairs, he said. The society would like to install a climate control system to regulate the atmosphere in the building in order to keep the integrity of exhibits at the site.
The society is planning an art auction for April 4. The night will feature live music refreshments and many prints and original artwork brought in by Marlin Art of New York. In addition to paintings and prints, the show will feature sculpture, glass work and sports memorabilia. The society will get a percentage of all the arts sales and is also looking for some large locally donated items as well. The entire proceeds from those items would go to the society.
"We're hoping to have a good crowd," said art auction chairwoman Alexis Chiucarello.
