Scattered snow showers early with a steadier snow developing late. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. About one inch of snow expected..

Scattered snow showers early with a steadier snow developing late. Some mixed winter precipitation possible. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable. Chance of snow 80%. About one inch of snow expected.

An excavator was busy Thursday afternoon at 66 Atkinson Street in Bellows Falls, putting debris in large disposal containers.

An excavator was busy Thursday afternoon at 66 Atkinson Street in Bellows Falls, putting debris in large disposal containers.

BELLOWS FALLS — The demolition of the historic former Methodist Meeting House was nearing completion Thursday, as workers from Hodgkins & Sons Inc. made more progress.

An excavator was busy Thursday afternoon at 66 Atkinson Street, putting debris in large disposal containers; the first floor facade of the building was finally leveled.

Hodgkins & Sons started the demolition on Dec. 20 with a 150-ton crane from Valley Crane Service, which took down the two top floors, as well as the former church’s distinctive bell tower.

Bellows Falls Municipal Manager Scott Pickup told the village trustees last Tuesday night that the demolition hadn’t gone as originally planned.

He said the plan was to have the building “pancake” on itself, rather than fall into the street, as happened. He said the crane operator made some mistakes.

The building has been owned by the town of Rockingham since August, when the latest owner, Christopher Glennon, relinquished control of the building, which was the subject of legal action by the village of Bellows Falls over concerns of structural integrity. The building had been owned for 46 years by Meeting Waters YMCA, which sold it in 2017 for $1 to Glennon.

The town paid about $54,000 for the demolition of the building. The church’s last remaining stained glass window, “The Parable of the Sower” was removed by volunteers organized by Destination of Bellows Falls last month, and the window is now on public display at the Bellows Falls train station.

Pickup said that no work would be done on the site during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, but that Hodgkins crews would be back to complete what wasn’t done.

The town now owns the site, but there are no plans yet on what to do with the now almost-vacant lot at a prominent location on Atkinson Street.

Contact Susan Smallheer at ssmallheer

Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.