Town Hall Rehabilitation Project Moves Forward

The rehabilitation plan took another step Monday night as Selectmen gave the Town Hall Renovation Committee the go-ahead to negotiate with an architect for the project.

THRC representatives Jon Juhl, Jackie Dellicker and Ed Nunes came before the board to recommend Gienapp Design Associates, LLC of Danvers with McGinley Kaslow & Associates, Inc. of Somerville as the runner-up.

The THRC will try to reach an agreement with Gienapp to work with the Committee on the exterior of the 150-year-old building. Should those negotiations fail, THRC will then go with its second choice.

Gienapp emerged from a field of 12 candidates that were evaluated on: 1) experience with historical structures/Massachusetts Historical Commission; 2) experience with wood structures/similar exterior issues; 3) de-leading issues/impact of de-leading law's impact and principal vs. large shop staffing.

Four finalists were chosen and interviewed on June 29 by the THRC and Town Administrator Paul LeBeau, with Gienapp standing above the rest. Gienapp has done similar projects in Bridgewater and Danvers.

, approving $695,000 in Community Preservation Act money. A historical preservation architect was one of the conditions of the proposal after Town Meeting shot down an October 2010 plan. Voters wanted to clear the project with the state Historical Commission before approving the funds.

Another $40,000 in capital money will be added to the project for routine final painting, which is not covered by CPA funds.

Paint has been peeling from the Town Hall's exterior for several years, starting shortly after its last coat was applied in 2004.

As opposed to the $3 million renovation in 2002 and 2003 that refurbished the inside of the building, the new proposal will address the problems on the exterior. Specifically, the plan will take measures to combat the moisture causing the paint peeling. Some second-floor boards would be stripped and de-leaded, while other lower-level boards would be replaced altogether.

In addition, the plan calls for a pre-primer, sealant and primer as well as a vapor barrier and insulation on the second floor.

Also, downspouts and gutters would be replaced while a three-foot metal plate would run along the bottom of the roof. Wiring in the gutters would be installed to prevent ice dams.

In other business:

• Selectmen approved Mary Bosquet's recommendation of Linda Stoico as Assistant Tax Collector, while Mary Brigham was appointed Assistant Treasurer.
  
  Donna Walsh and Ashley Arsenault were named Animal Control Officers, while Arsenault was also approved to the Special Police force.
• The board also discussed the qualifications for the 's Lieutenant position, which may open up when current Lt. Keith Edison's contract expires next June.
  
  Police Chief John Moore first presented his recommended process to fill the post at the . At the time, Moore was uncertain whether Edison, a 32-year veteran of the force, wanted to stay on.
  
  Specifically, selectmen talked about whether to keep a bachelor's degree as a requirement for the position. The idea of removing the bachelor's degree prerequisite has been toyed with since it may preclude otherwise qualified candidates.
  
  Nevertheless, Leary and Marsden agreed that the guideline should remain. Moore has said he'd like to promote from within and that the Lt.'s position could be a "stepping stone to the next chief."
  
  Leary and Marsden pointed out that since educational credentials were a large part of the search for the new chief this past winter, a bachelor's degree should remain a critical requirement for the Lt.'s post.