Will the DPW building be larger than what is currently needed?

 

No. The Municipal Facilities Optimization Committee (MFOC) has already reduced the size of the project. The original plan proposed a 60,515 square foot project; the plans shown at the November 18, 2024 Special Town Meeting scaled the building down to 52,817 square feet. This number includes the 31,220 square foot Highway Garage, which will be renovated. While there will be adequate space for equipment, storage and offices, the building is right-sized for the current program and does not include additional space for future expansion. The architect and Owner’s Project Manager have worked closely with Town staff to ensure that needs are met without extravagance, understanding that the building is primarily a garage.

 

In addition to reducing the overall size of the building, outdoor covered parking was removed, as were the glass panels proposed for the second-floor office space. All curbing will be asphalt instead of granite, and restrooms, locker rooms, the breakroom and conference space will be located in the center of the building to allow for shared use between Water and Sewer and DPW staff.

 

Why is this one project instead of addressing the DPW buildings and Town Hall separately?

 

In 2020, the Town was looking at a building project to replace the Police Station, renovate the Town Hall to address space needs and aging infrastructure, and perform cosmetic maintenance for the Senior Center. Given the financial uncertainty caused by the pandemic, the Select Board decided to prioritize the Police Station and emergency communication system, leaving the needs of the Town Hall and Senior Center unaddressed.

 

Funds from fiscal year 2025 capital budget were used to replace the carpet and upgrade the tables and chairs at the Senior Center. The scope of work at the Town Hall will cost approximately $5M. Taking this amount of money out of the operating budget would reduce the amount of funding available for municipal departments and schools and have a detrimental effect on services. The capital budget also cannot support this expense given other needs.

 

Including the amount needed for work at the Town Hall with the DPW project does not significantly change the impact to taxpayers and will actually lead to efficiencies and cost savings. There are costs associated with the Town borrowing money to use for capital projects. Combining the DPW and Town Hall work into one project reduces the number of times that the Town will need to borrow. Combining these projects also allows for better phasing of work, eliminating the need to rent swing space and ensuring that Town operations will not be disrupted during the construction.

 

The Town Hall looks fine. What work needs to be done there?

 

The HVAC system at Town Hall is 28 years old and at the end of its life. The original portion of Town Hall does not have any fire suppression system and the fire alarm system throughout the building will be modernized. Additionally, asbestos in the ceiling and floor tiles will be mitigated as part of the scope of work. The restrooms in the original portion of Town Hall are from 1966 and will be replaced with fixtures that meet current ADA accessibility requirements. The office space on the second floor will be renovated and those staff will move to the office space included as part of the renovation and expansion at the DPW facility on South Street. This is a cost-effective way to alleviate space constraints at Town Hall without having to expand the building.

 

If the project is approved, when will I see an increase in my tax bill?

 

The impact on the average tax bill will be $127.14 per year for the average single-family home starting in fiscal year 2027. It is important to note that $630,000 will come off the debt service in fiscal year 2027, leaving room for the Town to manage this project without a noticeable change in the tax bill.

 

What are the DPW buildings even used for?

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The work that our DPW does touches every resident and business in Shrewsbury. Here is a snapshot of each division’s responsibilities.

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• The Highway Division maintains over 150 miles of roadway in town, including snow and ice operations, street sweeping in the spring and fall, roadway maintenance and striping, catch basin cleaning and roadside mowing.

• The Water and Sewer Division maintains our public water supply, oversees operations at our water treatment plant, manages our sanitary sewer system, responds to water and sewer emergencies 24/7, and assists with snow and ice operations in the winter.

• The Fleet Management Division is responsible for servicing, maintaining and repairing Town owned vehicles and equipment, including all public works and public safety vehicles and equipment. This includes heavy duty trucks, loaders, backhoes, street sweepers, snow plows and sidewalk plows, roadside mowers, and mowers used by the Parks and Cemetery Division. Keeping this work “in house” saves both time and money.

• The Parks and Cemetery Division is responsible for maintaining the Town’s parks and playgrounds, the Mountain View Cemetery, and all school athletic and playground facilities. The Recreation Department is part of this division.

• Engineering and Conservation, the Public Buildings Division, trash, recycling and yard waste, forestry and stormwater management are also part of the Department of Public Works.