Inmates make history with painting project

The Holden Landmark
BY SANDY QUADROS BOWLES
Inmates from the Worcester County House of Correction work on a variety of community projects throughout the year, including last week’s painting of the Rutland Historical Society building. Joyce Roberts photoThe Rutland Historical Society building received its first paint job in many years last week, courtesy of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Inmate Community Service Program.
The program provides nonprofit organizations from throughout the county with free help from work release crews. The individuals involved in this program are nonviolent, non-sex offender inmates who are approaching the end of their sentences.
The crew worked hard and did a professional job, said Janet Barakian, president of the Rutland Historical Society.
“It’s worked out wonderfully,’’ she said.
The building had not been painted in at least 10 years, she said. Using the work crew saved the society the expense of paying a private company to do the work, she said.
This is the second visit by a work crew to the location in as many years, Sheriff Lew Evangelidis said. In 2011, a work crew spruced up a studio in the rear of the building. That was estimated to have saved about $6,000.
Last week’s painting project likely saved more than twice as much money, said Bill Banks, vice president of the Rutland Historical Society.
The building will be 100 years old next year. The town has owned the building for about 50 years, Banks said.
The building features an “eyebrow window,’’ an inward-opening window with a bottom-hinged sash. These attic windows are built into the top molding of the house.
“We’d love to preserve it,’’ he said.
The crews provide a valuable service to cash-strapped communities, Evangelidis said. “What I hear from more towns is, If we didn’t come out [and do the needed work], it wouldn’t get done.’’
Banks agreed. “It’s great,’’ he said. “It’s very, very helpful in these times.’’