Waterford — Town officials this week said they would seek estimates for stabilization and restoration costs for the Nevins Tenant Cottage, a deteriorating property historians and preservationists say potentially could serve as a home for archival records.

The Representative Town Meeting's Education Standing Committee on Tuesday night agreed to work with Planning Director Abby Piersall and building inspectors to seek prices for an engineering assessment for the 1890 cottage, which sits at 57 Rope Ferry Road not far from Waterford Public Library. Officials said a structural engineering review likely could cost between $10,000 and $15,000; the town could see half of that money reimbursed through a matching state grant.

"We know the building is in horrible condition," said Committee Chairperson Pat Fedor, who noted building officials recently offered a rough estimate of more than $200,000 to fully restore the property and bring it up to state building codes. Fedor said a portion of about $50,000 available in capital spending could cover a "structural assessment conducted to determine the feasibility of bringing Nevins Cottage to a structurally sound level."

RTM member Sue Driscoll said once the committee ascertains engineering assessment costs, it will be up to the town's selectmen and finance boards and the RTM to decide what to do with the property.

Historic Properties Commission President John O'Neill argued overall restoration costs largely depend on potential uses for the building, which he said needs new stairs and significant repairs to windows with rotted-out sills.

"You could put in $100,000 in just windows if you wanted. The sky's the limit," he said. But if officials simply want to stabilize the building and "make it safe," O'Neill said it likely could be done for less than the $50,000 that the town currently has available for potential repairs.

The cottage is part of the Jordan Village Historic District recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Once part of the 350-acre Shaw Farm, the cottage belonged to descendants of 18th century New London merchant Nathanial Shaw II. It last was occupied by a town employee and has been vacant for about six years.

O'Neill noted while the cottage was not famous — "Washington didn't sleep there" — he called it "a wonderful little building that contributes a lot to ... what Waterford has designated as its civic triangle, as a community with certain aesthetic qualities."

Town Historian Robert Nye and members of the Waterford Historical Society and Historic Properties Commission say the cottage's historic nature and proximity to the library make it potentially ideal for an archival storage location or reading room. Town records currently are held at multiple municipal buildings and residences.

First Selectman Dan Steward has argued using the cottage as an archival spot would require hefty repairs and special conditions, such as climate control, that do not exist in the building.

Nye on Tuesday said stabilizing the building and preventing further deterioration over the next few years would help give officials "time to decide, could this building have a use? But at least let's spend some money to get it stabilized."

On Wednesday, Nye added that matching grants also were available to help offset eventual restoration costs.

b.kail@theday.com