WILLSBORO — A project representing a nine-month partnership between North Country Rural Development Coalition (NCRDC) and the Essex County Land Bank, using NYS Vacant Rental Program and Land Bank Initiative funding to rehabilitate and preserve an existing property and create four new affordable apartments has come to fruition.
According to Nicole Justice Green President and CEO of NRCDC “What makes this project particularly special is the history of the property itself. The home was once owned by Sgt. Harry Wever, a veteran, and today it is beginning an entirely new chapter. Following this nine-month rehabilitation, the property is now owned and operated by a nonprofit serving veterans, with targeted outreach, supportive services, job-training opportunities, and resources designed to help residents build greater housing stability and independence. There is something incredibly meaningful about preserving a veteran’s former home and giving it a new purpose centered on service, opportunity, and community.
“We are especially grateful to Shaun and Linda Gillilland, Stevens Construction, our project partners, staff, boards, and everyone who helped bring this property back to life.”
Representing the NRCDC Board of Directors, Jim Monty praised the ambition of the stakeholders for getting this project funded, underway and completed. “It was nearly a year of hard work. I wondered how on earth we were going to pay for this project. Shaun and Linda (Gillilland) are wonderful partners.” He also credited contractor Todd Stevens. “This is his 21st project in five years. That legacy is profound.”
At the ribbon cutting ceremony Willsboro Town Supervisor Tracie McGill spoke of the Wevers as WWI and WWII Veterans and their farm legacy. “It’s more than just a home. It’s a place for Veterans to call home.”
Shaun Gillilland, himself a Veteran, who along with his wife Linda and others will be guiding and teaching the Veterans about aspects of farming, said, “It’s like a Field of Dreams. It’s an opportunity for Veterans in the field of agriculture.”
Gillilland gave a brief history of the farm which dates to 1828 with a second floor being added in 1956. Corporal Harry Wever survived the trenches in WWI. His son, Ben, a WWII Veteran, did not aspire to farm the land and instead raised chickens. He built 200 chicken houses which were toppled by wind, so he constructed a four-story chicken barn which had electricity a decade before his house. It was heated by steam from a wood burner. “Cornell University sent a representative to see the operation. He was a true innovator. Ben quit working construction to work the soil; to find peace from the war. There’s something special about farmers and Veterans.”
State Assemblyman Matt Simpson said, “This is a great public service. This will live on to serve Veterans.”
NY State Senator Dan Stec, who’s also a veteran, added, “This is a reflection on our society; how we take care of the disabled and those who signed their lives on the line. It’s a win on many fronts.”
Later, Gillilland said, “When I started farming you had a lot of ideas about what you wanted to do. Here we have a place to match their desires. This is a very helpful network. We can help them in finding work and commit themselves to the land. I wish I knew what I wanted to do when I first got out of the service.”