Town Hall Annex requires repair

The failure of the stone wall supporting the right rear corner of the garage attached to the town hall annex on Highland Street has prompted the Board of Selectmen to weigh a half dozen options for repairing damage.

The building was a private residence prior to the town purchasing about five years ago for the purposes of providing town officials with more office space. It has since been home to planning and code enforcement offices, as well as the office of the town manager.

The wall failed on April 6 amid heavy rains, washing several large stones and other debris toward the rear of the building housing AJ's Bait Shop on Main Street. Paul Ristaino, operations manager of the Public Works Department, shored up the building with a six-by-six timber and secured the area and the next day Joel Fisher of Fisher of Fisher Engineering assessed the extent of the damage.

Fisher reported that a section of the retaining wall along the side of the garage had also failed and the remainder was in the process of failing and recommended that the walls along the side and at the rear of the building be replaced.

Fisher suggested two alternatives without, however, estimating the cost of either. First, the retaining wall, along with the garage and adjacent addition, could be removed altogether and the side and rear of the building regraded and a small retaining wall constructed. This approach would expand the parking area alongside the building, but eliminate office space on the second floor and diminish the value of the property. Otherwise, the retaining wall could be replaced to allow for continued use of the garage and addition.

Mike Faller, director of public works, and Bill Edney, code enforcement officer, suggested four more options, each of which was roughly estimated by Ambrose Bros., Inc. The least expensive alternative was to demolish the garage, install an exterior wall to the annex and reconstruct the retaining wall at $18,000. Alternatively the failed section of the stone wall could be replaced with a concrete foundation, for $22,600 or alternatively the entire garage could be placed on a concrete foundation for $61,200. The fourth option was to extend the retaining wall 20 feet toward Highland Street and put the garage on a concrete foundation at a cost of $68,300.

While the new fire station was under construction the town's vintage fire engine was kept in the garage, which otherwise has been empty. Likewise, the decision to move the town manager's office back to the adjacent Town Hall on Main Street will free space in the annex.

In a memorandum, interim co-town manager Brenda Vittner reminded the Selectboard that as an unanticipated expenditure the repairs would have an impact on the 20o9 budget. She said that a $30,000 appropriation was among a number of items held in abeyance until it became clear there would not be be significant shortfall between actual and projected revenues. Moreover, another $20,000 in a operating contingency reserve could be tapped if necessary.

Because the failure poses risks to the property of both the town and its abutters, Vittner said the situation should be corrected, preferably before the onset of winter, when weather could hinder the work.