OTISFIELD – There are a lot of trees in Otisfield, but money doesn’t grow on any of them.

That’s the cold, hard truth town officials are facing when it comes to the preservation and reconstruction of the Bell Hill Town House, a project that has received lots of praise, but no funding.

Historical Society President Henry Hamilton has put together a plan for the renovation of the house at 53 Bell Hill Road. It was built around 1905 and used for town meetings until voting shifted to the new town hall on Route 121 around 10 to 15 years ago.

The old town house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

For the desired renovations, it will cost an estimated $50,000.

On Wednesday, Hamilton brought the plan before selectmen for the second time, seeking advice on how to proceed.

He suggested having a public hearing, but Selectman Tom Nurmi said he would have to have exact dollars and cents before going to the taxpayers.

Chairman Mark Cyr advised that, in the midst of changes at the state level in taxation, the chances of getting taxpayer money were slim.

“There’s a lot of pressure on communities like us to keep taxes low,” Cyr said.

He suggested that Hamilton request grants, then come back to the town to consider the conditions of meeting the grants.

Hamilton said he has a list of funders and is looking at grants.

The renovation plan includes a new vault for the society’s archives and an addition with a bathroom and a kitchen, making it usable for functions.

Now, it has an old two-holer, Hamilton said previously.

Former Selectman Lenny Adler suggested during the meeting that maybe the society just look to restore the building, instead of a complete renovation.

“I’m interested in preserving things that are old,” Adler said. “However, there’s a difference between preservation and reconstruction.”

Now, the 30- by 40-foot building is unsafe to even get into, as the steps are rotted out.

Hamilton said he would like to see the building restored to house the society’s archives.

A full description of the plan may be viewed at the Otisfield town office.