Dear Fellow Residents:
The May 6, 2025, municipal election ballot will include a debt exclusion question related to the Department of Public Works (DPW) buildings on South Street, including the Highway Garage and Water and Sewer Garage, and the Town Hall. Community Supporters for Public Buildings is a ballot committee formed to advocate for these facilities, which include replacing the Water and Sewer Garage, renovating and expanding the Highway Garage and completing HVAC, life safety, and accessibility maintenance at the Town Hall.
About The Project
Why is now the right time for this project?
The DPW buildings at 207 and 211 South Street and the Town Hall need critical repairs that can no longer be postponed. The Select Board voted in May of 2024 to create the Municipal Facilities Optimization Committee (MFOC) to study these buildings and come up with the most cost-effective solution to address the critical needs of each through
one project that will leverage efficiencies, save money, and serve the community for decades.
Challenges of the Water and Sewer Garage at 207 South Street
The 75-year-old Water and Sewer Garage has been well maintained, but the building’s structural and infrastructure challenges are clearly visible inside and out by the staff who work there and the residents of Precincts 5 and 10 who use this building as a voting location. It is recommended by the MFOC that this building be replaced and needed space added as part of the expansion of the Highway Garage.
Challenges of the Highway Garage at 211 South Street
The Highway Garage was built in 1976 and is currently used by the Highway Division, Parks and Cemetery Maintenance, Fleet Management, and Public Works. This 30,720- square foot building is structurally sound and will be renovated and expanded to include the Water and Sewer Division and office space for DPW staff currently housed at Town Hall. Needed repairs include:
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• The roof, HVAC, and insulation need complete replacement
• The fire alarm and fire suppression systems are at the end of their useful life and need to be replaced
• Plumbing and electrical systems need to be updated, including restroom and shower facilities for both male and female use and ADA compliance
• Fleet management space is not large enough for modern equipment, there is no vehicle wash bay, which is a current code requirement, and storage space for all divisions is insufficient
• Employee facilities are poorly ventilated, undersized, and lack space for staff to take necessary rests during long-duration storms or emergencies
• Limited space for more frequent yard waste drop-off and recycling.
Challenges of the Town Hall at 100 Maple Avenue
The Town Hall is a 28,700-square foot structure originally built in 1966, consisting only of the front portion of the building that runs parallel to the main driveway. In 1997, SELCO funded an expansion to the building, adding 9,100 square feet of space,
including the Selectmen’s Meeting Room and SELCO’s customer service counter and office space. The Town Hall does not need any structural renovation or expansion; work will include:​
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• Renovations to the original portion of Town Hall to install a fire suppression system and upgrade the fire alarm system; replacement of the HVAC system
• The bathrooms in the 1966 portion are original to the building and will be upgraded to meet current ADA accessibility requirements; asbestos in the ceiling and floor tiles will be mitigated
• Renovating and reconfiguring office space to meet the needs of municipal departments and the School Department after the DPW staff are relocated to South Street
• Renovating the Selectmen’s Meeting Room for accessibility requirements and hybrid
meeting capabilities.
By looking at the needs of these three public buildings as one project, work can be completed in phases without interrupting Town operations or needing to rent temporary space and incur additional costs. Adding office space to the renovated and expanded DPW building eliminates the need to expand the Town Hall and reduces the overall cost of the project while solving the challenges faced by these three separate buildings.
Community Supporters for Public Buildings ​Advisory Committee:
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Bob Cox
Donna O'Connor
Chris Dell Erba
Carlos Garcia
Melanie Petrucci
Dadene Gonet
Moe DePalo
Beth Casavant, Campaign Chair
Kelly Barner, Campaign Treasurer
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