Last modified: Friday, April 20, 2007 1:40 AM EDT ‘Afghans’ by Russian artist Alexandre Iacovleff, now owned by the North Attleboro School Department. No decision for art's sake BY AMY DeMELIA SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORTH ATTLEBORO - The fate of the town's million-dollar Russian masterpiece will continue to hang in the air, with selectmen postponing their discussion Thursday on whether to sell the painting. Selectmen Chairman William Moffitt said he intended to hold a full discussion about the fate of the Alexandre Iacovleff painting this week, but a Wednesday evening meeting with a representative from the state attorney general's office put a crimp in those plans. "We want to make the right decision, and that's why we're taking plenty of time to do it," Moffitt said. "From my point of view, the intent of the donor is sacrosanct. No one is in a big hurry. If we decide to sell, the next auction is in June and there's another in October." The school committee has already voted to sell the 7-foot by 10-foot "Afghans" painting, but the final decision rests with selectmen. Sotheby's has conservatively estimated the painting could sell for $800,000 to $1.2 million, money which the school committee says could be placed in a trust fund to support fine arts and music programs. One of the key issues is a determination from the attorney general's office on whether the painting is a "gold brick" - that is, an outright gift - or a public trust. If it's considered a gift, the town's decision to sell is much easier. A public trust, on the other hand, requires the town to examine the donor's intent and how to best meet that intent now that the painting cannot return to its spot in the Community School auditorium, where it was hung in 1951 by the donor, W. Charles Thompson. "The one thing we all agree on is that the original gift cannot go back to hang in the school," Moffitt said. "It's impractical for that to happen." Documentation of Thompson's donation is scanty and limited to a few mentions in school committee meeting minutes, but Moffitt said the attorney general's office has indicated that that painting is likely considered a public trust. With a myriad of legal issues involved, Moffitt said he is hoping the town, school department and relatives of the donor can come to a consensus on the painting's future. "There are legal issues that we don't have to discuss if we can all agree on what to do," Moffitt said. Meanwhile, Selectwoman Marjorie Kraskouskas said the board should have a discussion about whether the painting should be returned to town for the time being. Moffitt said he is already researching how much it would cost to bring the painting back to town - including insurance and security costs, as well as transportation and reimbursing Sotheby's for its expenses. Moffitt said he intends to put a package together for a future discussion by the board.