NORWAY – Voters at special town meeting Thursday night unanimously approved donating a piece of land for the Gingerbread House move.

They also approved a grant application on behalf of the Progress Center’s proposed community kitchen.

Approximately 30 voters acted on the warrant in about 25 minutes at the town hall.

Earlier this month, selectmen agreed to hold a special town meeting to get voter approval to have the .31 parcel transferred to the Norway Landmarks Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization created by the Friends of the Gingerbread House as its fundraising agent. It is part of the land transfer required in order to move the 80- by 20-foot three-story building from 500 Main St. farther up the street near Butters Park.

For the move to happen, the Department of Transportation must also agree to provide a 13- to 17-foot right of way, along with a small piece of land from the owners of the Gingerbread House, C’s Inc.

Pat Shearman, chairman of the Friends of the Gingerbread House Task Force, told voters that the land will be turned back to the town if the project isn’t successful before the anticipated spring move takes place.

Shearman said there is about $109,000 in donations, and another $20,000 commitment from the Davis Family Foundation if task force members can raise $150,000 within two years.

Shearman said there have been a number of ideas floated for the house, such as a Civil War museum, function space, a bed and breakfast, and a cafe. There is an apartment in the house that would probably be rented after the building is stabilized. That income could pay for utilities.

“We’re really committed to some public use of the building,” she said.

Originally known as the Evans-Cummings House, with its octagonal tower, it has graced the entrance to Norway from the north since 1851. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Gingerbread House is owned by C’s Inc. which is a real estate holding company affiliated with Sun Media Group, publishers of the Sun Journal and Advertiser-Democrat. The owner agreed last year to delay demolition of the historic home if the grassroots organization of volunteers could successfully figure out a way to move the house.

“It would become a hole in the ground if this project doesn’t go through,” Shearman said.

Voters also approved a Community Development Block Grant application for $120,000 to assist the Progress Center in its endeavor to build a community kitchen. The town will act as the nonprofit funding agent for the project.

Deb Anthony of the Progress Center said the plan is to open the renovated space on Cottage Street as a community kitchen to feed residents in the town who wish to share a meal with others three times a week. It may also be rented out for functions and will provide space to local farmers who need a preparation space for a small donation.

“We really see it as a community resource,” she said.

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