Minutes of Joint Meeting – October 3, 2016
Bradford Town Hall Restoration Oversight Committee and the Select Board
The meeting was held at the Town Hall and was called to order at 6:42 pm (following the Select Board meeting). Present were Harry Wright, Will Kranz, Brackett Scheffy, Jim Bibbo, John Pfeifle, Sonny Harris, Jen Richardson, Beth Downs, Michele Halsted, David Halsted, Scott Mckenney, Mark Goldberg, Marlene Freyler, Marilyn Gordon and Karen Hambleton.
It was noted that time is running short and that we may not be able to have “good” bids in time for Town Meeting. The Committee met just before this meeting and expressed its dissatisfaction with the process thus far. The Committee is strongly opposed to stretching out construction.
Concerns about the bond failing in March without a different approach were expressed. Ideas on how to engage more voters were shared including putting the Police Dept in the basement. It was noted that LCHIP has granted a one-year extension to the grant from Dec 2016 to Dec 2017. Additional discussion about the placement of the septic, ADA entrance, funding sources, and more took place.
Brackett noted that the underlying issue was not as simple as agreeing on the details, rather the issue is who is in charge of the project – the THROC Committee or the Select Board. After more discussion, John submitted that the Select Board will follow the suggestions/recommendations of the THROC Committee with the stipulations that the bathrooms remain in the rear of the building (no bathrooms upstairs) and the ADA entrance remains where it is unless it is unlawful. Additionally, if possible, the Police Dept would be in the basement and the septic at the SW corner. The vote was 2-1 in favor.
Harry reviewed the proposed scope of the project which includes:
- A full foundation, with the southwest corner of the building finished
- A sprinkler system, with a wet system plumbed to the basement and 1st floor and a dry system to be roughed in to the 2nd floor for completion later
- A pad poured for the LULA in the front of the building per existing plans
- Space for secure record storage
- New septic system (preferably SW corner)
- A propane fired hot water heating system
- Electrical work as needed to the first floor, roughed in to the second
- Returning the main room to its 1863 wide open space by removing the dividing walls
- ADA compliance
- ADA entrance preferably to remain at the SE corner of the building as long as it maintains compliance. Could be moved to the NE corner as a standalone project later, if needed.
- Cost: $800,000 bond
Additional work to be included is exterior wall insulation (blown in cellulose), window renovation, and exterior paint and trim repair. (Windows and paint/trim repair are LCHIP eligible).
Outstanding question: Can the PD occupy the basement or are there statutes/best practices that suggest against that? The Police Chief is investigating this possibility, further discussion required.
Scott asked if he needed to have 3 bids for each part of the project before Town Meeting or would 1 bid suffice. John indicated that one reasonable bid would suffice for the purpose of budgeting for the bond article. Three bids, if possible, should be obtained when the project actually goes out to bid.
Respectfully submitted,
Karen Hambleton