WESTPORT — During a regularly scheduled meeting, the Westport Town Board was apprised of the history and possible future of the Heritage House, which, as of January 2026, will no longer be leased by the Westport-Wadhams Community Alliance.
WWCA President Alyssa Carroll reviewed the 20-year history between the Westport Chamber of Commerce, which in 2023 became the WWCA, and the Westport Federated Church, which included a 20-year lease at $1 per year. Initially, the Town of Westport signed the lease with the expectation of the WCC revitalizing the structure and grounds.
When the town lease ended in December 2024, a one-year lease was negotiated at $500 per month. In January 2025, the WWCA became the new lessee, and in October 2025, the WWCA declined to renew the lease for 2026.
It was noted that, through grants and fundraising as well as countless hours of volunteerism, $500,000 had been invested in structural repairs, stabilization, heating and electrical upgrades, accessibility and interior renovations at the Heritage House.
The WFC 2026 lease terms provided no multi-year rental options with WWCA, which would be responsible for utilities, building and grounds maintenance, repairs and improvements to the slate roof and front porch. WWCA determined this was not financially prudent or sustainable for a nonprofit organization.
The primary concern of the WWCA is a one-year lease would prevent grant eligibility, discourage donor investment, create volunteer burnout and result in high risks.
“(The Heritage House) has been an important part of our community, and we are so grateful for having wonderful activities there,” Carroll said. “This is not personal. We have had a lovely relationship with the WFC.”
In a prepared statement, Bill Johnston
“This was a classic real estate deal. It was a win for the town and a win for the WFC,” Bill Johnston said of the agreement signed June 16, 2004, in a prepared statement.
Johnston, who has been instrumental in obtaining grants for many Westport projects, detailed history dating back to 1967. He explained the town gained use of the Heritage House for a visitor center with historical displays, a multipurpose room, a sanctuary for music and other public presentations, and, occasionally, utilized for weddings and funerals.
“The church was relieved of the liability of a deteriorating building, a drain on its resources as evidenced by the lack of maintenance,” he said.
George Maffey oversaw the renovations, and the WCC acted as the town’s agent in operating the building. Nancy Decker was instrumental in the Heritage House Committee, which organized the Ambassador Program of community volunteers.
Among the primary programs was Spirit of Place, which promoted local arts and crafts and, through its shows, helped fund the Heritage House.
“All this came to a crashing end when the WWCA and WFC were unable to come to terms on renewal for a long-term lease,” Johnston said.
He outlined possible steps to salvage the situation: involve the Westport Town Board and community, have the town become owner or lessee of the building, employ a mediator, form a new Heritage House Committee and get 501c3 designation or use some Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism funding.
“The Town has a fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers. If the town is unable to negotiate a new lease of purchase with the WFC, the town should institute legal action to recover the public funds invested in the building’s renovation,” Johnston said. “If the funds are not recovered, the result is a case of the WFC receiving ‘Unjust Enrichment’ (Quantum Meruit).
“If the property is not used for religious purposes or leased to another 501c3, it should not be exempt from real estate taxes.”
Madera Sherman, chair of the church council of WFC who served as liaison, indicated a lease was offered with the same language as before, and the WWCA had the first right to refusal.
“It is unfortunate this has raised a lot of feelings. Change is difficult,” Sherman said. “WFC has had meetings, but no decision has been made among the congregation.
She said she is unsure when a decision will be made.
“We are waiting on contractors. We’ve had the land surveyed. We are looking at physical responsibility,” Sherman said. “We have reached out to contractors but have heard nothing yet.”
It is expected the members of the WFC will vote after the Jan. 4 service.
Westport Town Supervisor Michael “Ike” Tyler reflected on the situation.
“It seems a shame this small community cannot get together,” he said. “My personal feeling is this can take the heart and soul out of the community. It’s a beautiful site.
“The town was not brought into this decision. We hope to have a meeting in January, perhaps with the church council. That’s my opinion.”
Chris Maron agreed with Johnston’s statement.
“What Bill said made a lot of sense. We all have similar thoughts. We all need to work this out and have everyone involved,” Maron said. “It would help if we would have a professional appraisal. We all have a common interest.”