ADAMS, Mass. — The town will use an engineering firm to gather cost estimates for expanding the Department of Public Works facility at Bellevue Cemetery.

 

The Cemetery Commission was asked to use funds to either replace or add on to the existing garage and after a tour of the grounds Monday, commissioners agreed to start moving the project forward.

 

"I want to get the project rolling but I would like to know what this needs versus what this needs as a new building," Commissioner Bruce Shepley said. "I don't have that expertise to say ... but we need to know what is financially feasible." 

 

The town was somewhat forced into the project because of the dilapidated white shed at Bellevue that needs to be demolished. This winter was the last winter the DPW felt comfortable storing equipment in the shed and without it, more storage space is needed.

 

Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco, who attended the meeting, said there are two options the commission should look at: adding onto the current facility with metal prefabbed sheds or completely rebuilding a facility.

 

He said a total rebuild could cost more than $100,000.

 

Commission Chairman Fred Hobart said he felt the current garage can be saved.

 

"This building was built in the 1960s and it still looks pretty damn good to me ... I haven't seen one crack in that floor," he said. "With a little TLC, this building can be salvaged."

 

Mazzucco said that may be the case, however, if the cost of repair and adding onto it creeps up toward the cost of a total rebuild, it would not be worth investing in an older building the town would likely have to keep pouring money into.

 

"This building needs some work. It looks structurally sound but if you look at the windows, doors and roof it is certainly well aged," he said. "What is that dollar point where do we feel comfortable investing in the building knowing that we will be maintaining the cemetery, I would say, indefinitely?"

 

At first glance, the inside of the building could use a sprucing up and a new paint job. Mazzucco pointed out cracks in the walls but noted the building has a newer boiler system. He said the facility is on town water and sewer. 

 

Commissioner James Taylor agreed with Mazzucco and suggested the commission make a decision after reviewing cost estimates drawn up by the engineers.

 

"If we are close to $100,000 with adding sheds I rather see a new building. If it is a $30,000 difference a new building would be an investment that would last us 50 years," he said. "It's like a boiler. You can keep dumping money into a boiler but eventually, you have to make a decision."

 

Mazzucco said he would contact EDM Engineers and ask them to conduct a study.  

 

The commission was also concerned that a new bathroom in the building would have to be handicapped accessible.

 

Mazzucco said he thought it would only be required if the garage was open for public use.

 

The commission said they did not want the public in the building.

 

"This is not a public building. It is utilitarian and will not be used for office space," Shepley said. "It's a place for equipment and the DPW workers. It is not an issue for me and I don't think we need it."  

 

The commission also felt any rebuild should be in the same area as the current garage. In the winter, the DPW has to plow just to get to the white shed and it would be easier to have everything in one place. 

 

The commission also toured the white shed that Mazzucco said will be taken down sooner than later because it is dangerous and not structurally sound.

 

Taylor, who used to work on the grounds, said the building was in bad shape when he was there and pointed out holes in the floor. He added he would not trust the electricity either.

 

"The building is shot and it's dangerous," he said. "There is no reason this should be used."

 

The building is roughly 28x20 feet and any addition to the garage would have to be at least this size to accommodate the cold storage.  

 

The funds for the project would come out of the Cemetery Commission fund which was designed to maintain the cemeteries. If the commission approves the expenditure, town meeting must also vote.