NORWAY — Town officials received a check for $200,000 Monday morning to help in the effort to purchase and stabilize the Opera House.

That effort continues Thursday when Board of Selectmen members hold a public hearing to authorize the board to apply for a federal grant that could provide up to $150,000 to stabilize the building.

Board Chairman Bruce Cook said the effort to preserve the historic 1894 building could not have happened without the “generous” donation of Bill and Beatrice Damon.

“We couldn’t have gotten anywhere if they hadn’t come forward,” said Cook after the Damons presented a check for $200,000 to him in the town hall.

The money will be used to pay the building’s fair market value that will be set by a judge during the eminent domain proceedings the town has initiated against property owner Barry Mazzaglia of Bitim Enterprises in Londonderry, N.H. The town had the three-story building appraised by Patricia Amidon of Amidon Appraisal Co. in Portland for $185,000. The judge can set the amount at any price but it is expected he or she will confer with the town’s appraisal, officials say.

A portion of the Opera House roof collapsed on Sept. 21, 2007, due to the weight of pooled water. The collapse severed a sprinkler pipe, adding to the flood of water that cascaded to the two first-flour businesses.

Officials have become alarmed by the instability of the building, which, according to two engineering studies, show it to be “unsafe to the public and neighboring property.” Despite longtime efforts to work with the property owner to stabilize the building, town officials and voters agreed last month to begin eminent domain proceedings against Mazzaglia in an attempt to save the 17,618-square-foot building and prevent it from further collapse.

Town Meeting voters last month approved the grant application at a special town meeting along with the acceptance of the Damons’ check and authorized the board to take necessary steps to take the Opera House by eminent domain.

The plan is to get the building under the town’s control, stabilize it using grant money and then turn it over to a non-profit group or other individuals who will determine its future.

Cook said the Damons have agreed to use any unused portion of the check to stabilize of the building.

Because the town must attempt to stabilize the building immediately, selectmen will hold a public hearing on Thursday at their board meeting as part of the Community Development Block Grant application process for up to $150,000 in funds.

Brenda Melhus and Andrea Burns, representing Norway Downtown, also praised the efforts of the Damons at the check presentation. “This is a wonderful thing for you to do,” Melhus said to the Damons.

Burns reflected on the past 18 months saying the town started with three educational forums, the idea of Town Manager David Holt, to save several historical properties in town including the Opera House and the Gingerbread House. Work has now begun on those efforts. “We are being progressive and active on all of them,” she said.

The Damons said they hope to someday attend a country dance at the Opera House again. “They used to have great country dances at the Opera House,” said Bill Damon, a longtime selectman. “I’d like to go to a couple more.”

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Selectman Chairman Bruce Cook, left, accepts a check for $200,000 from Bill and Beatrice Damon for the Opera House. “I only have $9 left in my wallet,” quipped Bill Damon after he handed over the check.