Dalton Sets Special Town Meeting for Town Hall Renovations
DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board approved three articles last week to be added the warrant for a special town meeting warrant on Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m.
The special town meeting is being held to authorize spending for Town Hall renovations and other expenses.
A yes vote on Article 1 would authorize the town to pay $8,6324 to pay sewer and debt expenses that were not anticipated for the previous Town Hall Meeting.
A yes vote on Article 2 would authorize an additional $100,000 be added to the $500,000 Town Hall budget to accommodate the unexpected expenses that were not anticipated during the previous meeting.
The town would utilize these additional funds to cover the unexpected cost of the attic design and renovations, addition asbestos, the increase cost in construction materials and labor, additional asbestos remediation, and the cost of relocating the third floor offices.
"So the bats being $30,000, asbestos being $30,000 base, plus the new work that has to be done, we're not sure exactly how much that's going to be. But started with $60,000. And going up to two offices could easily be $20,000. And we would like you know, a little contingency above that as well," Town Manager Thomas Hutcheson said,
"And again, this is just authorization. If this happens to come in low, we don't have to borrow. But we're thinking that this will give us a safe amount to get the job done."
A yes vote on Article 3 would require a simple majority vote and would move $2,066 from free cash to the Miscellaneous Grants account to cure a deficit.
Building grounds Superintendent Patrick Pettit provided the Select Board with an update on the Town Hall renovations.
The bat renovation and excursion is now complete. The one way doors were installed on May 1st so when the bats go out to feed they will be unable to get back into the building.
Pettit believes that because of the recent nice weather all or most of the bats have left the building.
There have been a few delays in the renovation due to questions that interior supporting walls will be able to hold the weight of any storage or offices. He had a meeting scheduled with the engineer for the following day.
Once the engineer goes through the building to verify that the walls are sound enough to carry that weight they can move on from there.
If the engineer finds that the walls are not able to hold the storage or offices then a new design will have to be made which would require more funds.
The Select Board also voted to support Egremont non-profit Greenagers application for The Pines ADA Trail Project that would change the design of the Town-owned land know as "The Pines" so that it would meet the Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines universal design requirements.
"This is a wooded area directly north of High Street with its trailhead located adjacent to the intersection of High Street and Field Street Ext. In Dalton. The trailhead is located approximately 500 feet from the Dalton Senior Center, approximately 550 feet from Pine Grove Park, and less than half a mile from two BRTA bus stop" the letter of support said.
The design would create a 5 foot wide handicap accessible loop that would add to the existing trail network and upgrade "The Pines" handicap accessibility.
As part of the Towns Master Plan, the Dalton’s Open Space and Recreation Committee has taken over maintenance of The Pines.
To do this they have had community clean up days. Recently, they partnered with Greenagers to construct the handicap accessibility loop and they will also be providing 6 seasonal summer employees with students from Wahconah Regional High School getting priority for employment.
"This serves to provide valuable sustainability education to the future workforce. The construction of an ADA trail at "The Pines", in addition to increased accessibility, assists in further rerouting/designating, trail group program, mapping, and maintenance efforts," the letter of support said.
The special town meeting will be held on Monday, June 27, at 7 p.m.
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