Staff prepares to move into new Gilford public works building next month

GILFORD — The finish line is fast approaching for completion of the public works building. Employees are expected to move into the administrative portion next month.

“We’re on schedule to move in and occupy the admin side by the end of August, and the garage side, right now, is about two to three weeks later,” Public Works Director Meghan Theriault told the selectboard July 22.

Theriault updated the selectboard about the project, saying mechanical, electrical, and plumbing work is making “great, fast progress.” She said crews are working on the garage side with the air exchange unit, and steel installation is taking place. The unit is large, and will be on the left side of the structure.

Duct work is also being done, and sprinkler systems are being hung in the garage. Theriault said locker rooms and restrooms are being finished up, and epoxy flooring is going in this week. Electrical wires have been pulled into the administrative spaces so drywall ceiling caps can be put in.

Theriault said painting is well underway in the administrative area, starting on the garage side. The basic gray paint to coat the walls is easily cleaned. The pump house framing in the back continues, and on the day of the meeting, sidewalk concrete was poured, and smaller floor entry pads were completed.

The only remaining concrete work, she said, is the pad for the condenser and generator. Site work continued and grading was done. Theriault told the selectboard there is a walkway going from the upper parking lot to the building.

Lyman Construction crews paused for what Theriault expected to be a short time period, until a transformer pad and propane tank were installed. Eversource staff then need to perform an inspection on the pad, and Rymes Propane & Oils staff need to connect the propane tank before Lyman comes back to continue work.

The pole barn work has continued, and a catwalk is being constructed. Radio communication installation is expected this week, and furniture delivery is scheduled for late August. Topcoat paving is scheduled for Aug. 31.

Theriault told the selectboard as employees are moving into the administrative portion of the building, work on the garage side will continue. She said items currently being stored in Belmont are being moved back, in anticipation of getting the green light to move into the new facility.

“Lots going on with the new building,” Theriault said.

Voters at the 2025 Town Meeting approved the $11.2 million project, including design and construction of the new public works center. This included demolition and temporary relocation of operations, as well as a pole barn, equipment, furnishing, and site improvements.

The former building was about 50 years old and 13,000 square feet. This building will not only be an upgrade and more modern, but much larger, at 22,000 square feet.

The old building, where the roof caved in from snow and with failing heating and cooling systems, was demolished on July 22, 2025. Excavation and construction of the new facility began shortly after. Theriault has been updating the selectboard on the progress since construction began, as well as providing written and video updates on the town website.

The construction is led by Bonnette, Page & Stone, whose team has been subcontracting various portions of the project. While there were some minor delays due to weather in the winter, they made them up over time.

Theriault told the selectboard they are still on budget for the project, and things are going very well. Chair Chan Eddy was pleased.

“I’m glad to hear that things are moving along well, and we’re on schedule and under budget, and hopefully we can wrap things up the same way.”