OTISFIELD — The former town hall passed into the hands of the Otisfield Historical Society as selectmen approved the transfer Wednesday evening.

The board unanimously voted to sign a quit-claim deed giving the Bell Hill Town Hall to the society. The structure, built in 1905, is one of three buildings on Bell Hill listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Bell Hill Meetinghouse and a former one-room schoolhouse are both owned by the Bell Hill Meetinghouse Association.

“I would just like to say thank you for this historic action,” said Jean Hankins, who oversees the historical society’s archives. “I think it’s the first time Otisfield has given away a building.”

The deed grants the town hall, its contents, and approximately four-tenths of an acre of land to the historical society. It also states that the historical society must maintain the building’s exterior and interior appearance. If the town believes the historical society is not adequately maintaining the building, it must give the organization 45 days to remedy the problem and may take back ownership of the building if it is not resolved.

The annual town meeting was held in the hall until the population outgrew it, and records were stored in a brick vault constructed in 1925. Residents also voted at the hall. However, official use of the building later declined, and in 1992 a town office opened in the former Otisfield elementary school on Route 121. The records were moved to a vault built in 1995.

However, the building retains its original woodwork, chairs and voting booths. Henry Hamilton, president of the historical society, said the group would like to do some renovating so it can store the society’s archives and host small functions.

Hamilton has said the society asked to take ownership of the hall because it will be easier to collect donations for the restoration. The planned work includes creating a basement, restoring the facade, removing the 1925 vault, upgrading electrical facilities, and digging a well. The society also plans to build an addition that will be compliant with the historical nature of the structure and include a handicapped accessible entrance, bathroom and basement entry.

The work on the building is expected to cost $175,000 and be a long-term project.

“We certainly wish you folks well, and good luck in your endeavor,” Chairman Hal Ferguson told society members Wednesday.

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Hal Ferguson, chairman of the Otisfield Board of Selectmen, signs a quit-claim deed giving the Otisfield Historical Society ownership of the former town hall on Wednesday evening. Selectman Lenny Adler looks on.

Selectman Rick Micklon signs a quit-claim deed giving the Otisfield Historical Society ownership of the former town hall on Bell Hill on Wednesday evening as Chairman Hal Ferguson, center, and Selectman Lenny Adler, left, look on.