Date: Fri 09-Jul-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Edmond-Town-Hall

Full Text:

Town Hall Managers Told To Plan For Needed Repairs

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers is feeling a lot less isolated this

week after clearing the air with the Board of Selectmen over town hall

planning.

"I feel a whole lot better going out than I did going in," said board of

managers chairman Edgar Beers following Tuesday's meeting at the library.

In short, the board of managers was assured that the town is committed to

refurbishing the town hall, with or without a new addition. Uncertainty over

the disposition of the town hall had precluded the managers from making

long-term plans for improvements to the building.

Last month the board, which administers the Main Street landmark, complained

that it was only marginally included in the Municipal Space Needs Committee's

study of town space. That committee's recent report calls for the construction

of a 23,500-square-foot addition to the back of Edmond Town Hall. That $11

million project would include $3 million worth of repairs and renovations to

the existing building.

The managers are in favor of the expansion plans, but many wonder if it will

ever come to fruition. Also, many of the mechanical repairs proposed in the

space needs report are already being done as part of board of managers'

five-year capital improvement plan. Without a time line, they wondered if the

work they are doing now will simply be scrapped when and if the major

renovation work is done.

"We have projects in the works now," noted board member David Smith.

Board member Bill Honan doubted whether a renovation to town hall would take

place any time soon, and he wondered whether the proposal would ever fly with

the taxpayers. First, however, it must be endorsed by the selectmen.

"I think right now everything is in flux," he said. "I wonder if we are just

sitting around waiting for something to happen. I'm sure nothing will be done

to Edmond Town Hall until Fairfield Hills is resolved."

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal begged to differ. There are "deferred

maintenance" projects that must be done now, he said.

Town hall maintenance head Clark Kathan concurred, pointing out that unless

some work is done on the building's heating system, employees will be wearing

coats this winter.

Addition or no addition, managers said, Edmond Town Hall is falling apart and

something has to be done to keep it open.

In response, the selectmen suggested that the board of managers follow through

on their plans. The major work will have to wait until the renovation takes

place, though.

But what if that project is rejected by the voters, the managers wondered.

"We need to know how we can plan," Mr Beers said. "We don't know what to do

one month from now, one year from now."

In response, Mr Rosenthal assured the board that the funding will be there, no

matter what; the fate of needed improvements to Edmond Town Hall is not tied

to the town's search for additional office space.

"If we don't go forward with this, I don't see anything wrong with coming back

to the selectmen for a special appropriation," Mr Rosenthal said.

Earlier this year, the managers requested $250,000 from the town in order to

do these mechanical projects, which include major upgrades to heating,

electricity, etc. The selectmen agreed to fund only $100,000 pending the

outcome of the space needs report.

David Valerie, a member of the space needs committee, suggested the managers

do whatever they have to do now to keep the building open.

"You don't want to invest large amounts, but you should do what you have to

do," he said.

Sensing doubt, Mr Valerie continued. "What you need right now is commitment

and I believe selectmen are wrestling with that right now."

But as the selectmen wrestle, Edmond Town hall has no heat, Mr Kathan said.

According to Mr Valerie, one thing is for sure: Edmond Town Hall is still

going to be a town building no matter what happens at Fairfield Hills.

Mr Rosenthal agreed.

"Unless one of the [Fairfield Hills] developers is prepared to renovate a

building for us, I don't see it being cost-effective to build a town hall over

there," he said.

But Mr Honan reminded Mr Rosenthal that there are many residents who feel

differently. Some, like resident Ruby Johnson, believe Fairfield Hills, which

is currently for sale by the state, would be the ideal location for a new town

hall.

Four developers interested in buying the 186-acre core campus of Fairfield

Hills are slated to present their proposals to the state next week.

Ultimately, Newtown will have right-of-first-refusal on the valuable property.

"I think the two are separate issues. Taking care of Edmond Town Hall is one

thing. Purchasing Fairfield Hills is another," Mr Rosenthal said.

Space needs committee member Bob Hall suggested the managers endorse the

expansion plan. That would give it more credibility, he said.

The Board of Selectmen is expected to vote on the proposed addition to Edmond

Town Hall later this summer.