Around 130 Francestown citizens gathered at Saturday morning’s annual town meeting and voted to fund a long-anticipated restoration of the historic Town Hall, as well as a renovation plan for the town’s police headquarters.
The unanimously approved Town Hall warrant article contributes $750,000 toward the project, with $125,000 coming from unassigned fund surplus and $625,000 from grants and donations held in the town’s Heritage Fund for this purpose. The estimated budget for the Town Hall project totals $1,003,725, a figure that includes $29,861 in expenses that have already been paid. A 2014 town bond of $350,000, a state LCHIP grant of $200,000, and a variety of private donations, pledges, and grants make up the rest of the funding.
According to Selectmen Brad Howell, work will begin in the spring to bring the Town Hall building up to code, making it, in his words, “functional and compliant.” Major renovations on both floors of the structure will include ADA-compliant access and bathroom facilities, an elevator, and new mechanical and fire suppression systems.
Howell praised the multiyear efforts and contributions of many local residents who have made this project a reality. “The Town Hall is a symbol for our town, and for what we can do when we work together,” he said.
The town’s police station, for many years housed in the former Town Hall Annex on Poor Farm Road, also received $125,000 to fund a complete renovation of space within the building. The Francestown Improvement and Historical Society (FIHS), which currently leases half of the building, plans to move at the end of this year, and the town’s police offices will expand to occupy the entire structure.
Selectmen Henry Kunhardt presented the warrant article and explained to voters that discussions over improving the town’s police headquarters have been ongoing for the past 12 years. The police need a secure area for detainees, especially for juveniles, as well as secure areas for police equipment and evidence, Kunhardt said. The preliminary floor plan also adds specific public access to the building.
Police Chief Fred Douglas responded to voter questions about whether the planned renovation represents a long-term solution or merely a temporary “Band-Aid” approach.
“I looked at the town’s current needs and the needs for the next 20 to 25 years,” Douglas said, adding that he did not anticipate Francestown’s population to spike dramatically over that timeframe.
Several residents, including one member of the town’s Budget and Advisory Committee, expressed concern that the renovation plan was introduced prematurely and that it would be better to obtain firm estimates from contractors, and to explore other potential sites in town for the police department. Addressing the latter, Chief Douglas strongly supported keeping the police headquarters in the current building, which is prominently located in the center of town.
In other business, voters approved, without amendments, the proposed town operating budget of $1,717,070. They also voted to add $629,900 to various capital reserve funds, to purchase a new six-wheel dump truck/plow for $175,000, and to appropriate $170,000 to begin reconstruction of a portion of Bible Hill Road.
In all, 14 of 15 warrant articles passed by voice or standing vote, with one contingency article concerning the Town Hall tabled as unnecessary. The meeting adjourned at 12:59 p.m.