Motion made to try selling 'Afghans'

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NORTH ATTLEBORO - In a move aimed at breaking the impasse over the fate of the town's Russian masterpiece, Selectman Mark Williamson asked his board Thursday to considering selling the painting.

Williamson made a motion to sell the Alexandre Iacovleff painting, called "Afghans," provided selectmen and the school committee can come to an agreement on provisions of a trust fund for the proceeds.

The painting was once valued at more than $1 million, however with the changes in the economy, it is not clear whether that figure still stands.

The motion to sell the painting was seconded for discussion by Selectman Paul Belham, but it did not appear to have support from anyone except Williamson.

The motion was eventually tabled until next week in a 3-2 vote, with Williamson and selectmen Chairman John Rhyno dissenting. The vote to sell the painting was intended to put an end to the impasse between selectmen and the school committee, Williamson said.

Selectmen have previously voted not to sell the painting, while the school committee is in favor of selling it and using the proceeds to support arts programs.

The school committee recently declined to meet with selectmen about the issue, saying a compromise cannot be reached unless one of the boards votes differently.

"It seems to me in our role as the town's leadership, we need to break this stalemate. This vote will prompt the necessary discussion with all parties involved," Williamson said.

Even if the board authorized the sale of the painting, it would not be sold quickly, he said.

Selectman Michael Thompson disagreed, saying, "If we take this vote and say to sell it, we're basically giving up our rights over it. They will be on the phone tomorrow, and they'll sell it as quickly as possible.

"That thing would be on a ship to Russia tomorrow."

Rhyno reminded the board that the attorney general's office has said it could sue to block the sale of the painting because it is a public charitable trust. The town would then have to argue in court that it has become impractical for the town to keep it.

"Just two weeks ago, this board had a heated discussion on giving $1,000 for legal fees to a board," Rhyno said. "I'd ask that we get an estimate from our attorney and the school department's attorney on what this could possibly cost the town."

Rhyno asked that a representative from the attorney general's office be invited to town to discuss who owns the painting and what procedure would be used if the masterpiece were to be sold. Belham requested that the school department be asked if it is willing to absorb any legal costs that arise.

"If this board votes to sell the painting, the school department should agree to fund all legal costs out of its own budget if we incur any costs at all," he said.

Thompson said his position has always been that the town, not the school department, owns the painting. He recommended that the board write a letter to Sotheby's auction house, where the painting is stored, and ask for its return.

However, other members of the board were concerned that move could also result in litigation.

Selectman Dale Langille said he was disappointed that a majority of the school committee has refused to meet with selectmen on the issue.

"They should come to the table and talk to us. It's going to cost a lot more money to go into litigation about it," he said.

 

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