Dennis will buy an unused Roman Catholic church. What is the town going to do with it?

Dennis voters overwhelmingly approved a $2.3 million town purchase of a former seasonal Roman Catholic church property from the Diocese of Fall River at a special town meeting Thursday night by a vote of 243 to 18.

Two related articles for the demolition of the church building and assessment of the property were also approved.

A total of 276 voters filled much of the Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate School auditorium in South Yarmouth for the vote that needed to be held as a special meeting because of the closing date of April 1 on the 3.6-acre parcel at Upper County Road and Depot Street in Dennis Port. A two-thirds vote was required for the purchase because the funds are coming from the town’s stabilization fund, Moderator Robert Chamberlain said. He called for a hand count by the tellers even though the outcome was clear.

Why is Dennis buying a church?

Our Lady of the Annunciation Chapel, and a large adjoining parking lot, was a seasonal mission church of Holy Trinity Parish on Route 28 in West Harwich since 1953, but had not been used since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The diocese initially put the property up for $2.6 million, but after an independent appraisal done by the town, the parties agreed to $2.3 million.

Select Board Chairman Chris Lambton said after the meeting that the town was able to get the lower price by agreeing with the Diocese of Fall River to a perpetual restriction that the property be used for affordable housing, open space and recreational purposes and/or parking. The restrictions were included in the purchase article for town meeting, but no final decisions have been made for the property use.

How could Dennis use the space?

There were no major objections to the purchase at the meeting, and several people spoke in favor, especially for open green space for the neighborhood and parking for several nearby condominium complexes.

Stephen Fowler, who lives in a condominium across from the church property, said three condominium complexes in the area lack enough parking space for the residents. He implored the Select Board to consider parking for part of the property because he said it is dangerous in winter for people who have to walk to farther public lots since the church property has been fenced.

Another close neighbor of the church property, Priscilla Mariani, urged passage of the purchase to provide for open space and recreation, “as a place to play for kids and for the mental health of the people in the neighborhood.”

Brien Hines of Dennis Port also spoke strongly for the purchase and multi-uses for the parking, open space and possible limited affordable housing.

Demolition of the church is expected to cost half a million dollars

The demolition approval was by a majority voice vote of 243-18. Select Board Vice Chairman Paul McCormick said an inspection of the church found some asbestos and lead paint so about $180,000 will be used for hazardous waste removal of the total $500,000 demolition cost.

The third vote approved $40,000 for an assessment, survey and testing for the church property, also approved by a voice majority vote.

What will the Diocese do with the money?

Holy Trinity Parish will receive the proceeds from the sale of the property to use at its discretion for the good of the parish and the benefit of its ministries and programs, according to John Kearns, Diocese Director of Communications.

Two other articles were on the special meeting warrant Thursday evening.

New fees for short-term rentals in Dennis

In one of the articles, new fees for short-term rental registrations drew a few objections. Penelope Bach, who rents her house in West Dennis in the summer, said the new $250 fee for this year and $500 starting next Jan. 1 “are a burden for one small summer rental” on top of a previous 14.5% tax a few years ago. A man representing a real estate agent association also questioned the increase in the fee for next year. He suggested tier fees for different size homes.

Other fee changes proposed in the article included an increase in the daily parking for cars at Sesuit Harbor West from $12 to $20, a new slip holder dock box at that harbor for $250 and a new demolition debris fee for contractors of $20. The article was adopted by a vote of 169 to 87.

The second article proposed to dedicate 80% of the short-term rental registration fee to the town’s wastewater stabilization fund for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The remaining 20% was be deposited in the general fund. The article was approved 254-2.

Can Dennis hold its town meetings in Yarmouth?

One man questioned whether the meeting was legal since it was held outside Dennis. Chamberlain assured him it was since the Select Board authorized the venue because Dennis no longer has facilities with enough room. The Dennis town meetings were previously held at the Nathaniel H. Wixon Innovation School in South Dennis, which has been closed since merging with the new Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate School.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Dennis voters just agreed to buy a church for $2.3 million. Why?