New Town Hall Vote Set for Special Town Meeting

In November, residents will have a chance to vote on the soft costs for a new town hall.

The article, created by the town hall working group, is expected to be over $500,000 with the final numbers to be announced closer to the Nov. 17 special town meeting.

If approved, the funding would allow the town to place bids for proposals and get firm numbers on the construction of a new town hall.

While town manager Bill Keegan said renovation could save money in the short term, he felt the town would get a better value in the long term if they built a new building.

During a recent city manager’s conference in Charlotte, NC attended by Keegan, he asked many managers for their opinion for if town hall should be renovated or if the town should build a new one. The consensus, according to Keegan, was to build new.

The new town hall project has faced vocal opposition from many residents around town. Selectman Jim DeVellis, a civil engineer, said he could not find one person with an engineering or architectural background and perspective that said that renovation is a viable option.

Both Selectmen John Gray and David Feldman said they joined the board in favor of renovation but had a change of opinion after an extensive look at the issue.

“Once you get into the building and look at the construction and work that needs to be done, there’s no long term value for renovation,” Feldman said.

Gray added, “I was like David. I spent some time in the basement but it took me a while to resolve that it has to go.”

The opposition, led by working group member Richard Heydecker, have taken to the press with letters to the editor for renovation and a strong stance against any new building for town hall, giving town officials a sense of urgency when it comes to making the case for a new town hall.

On Oct. 10, Keegan will be on Foxboro Cable Access to answer questions about a potential new town hall and a fact sheet may be available in the near future.

The group hopes to keep the new town hall on South Street next to the current building.