September 2024
Possible Town Hall Renovations
Middlesex voters will be voting in November on a bond for up to $2.5 million to support renovations to Town Hall.
Learn more about Town Hall and the Bond vote here:
Summary:
Since the vote at Town Meeting in March 2024 to move the project forward, the Town Hall Committee has been busy finalizing design drawings and hiring a construction manager to firm up construction cost estimates.
The cost estimates are much higher than anticipated. Instead of an estimated $2 million project, the firmer estimates suggest it will be just over $3 million.
Acknowledging recent school spending increases, future town needs, delays in funding for road repairs, and the uncertainty of some grant funding, the Town is now working with the professionals we hired to sharpen our pencils and identify what work is most needed and how we can bring the costs down.
Middlesex voters will be deciding this November whether to approve a bond for up to $2.5 million to complete the project. The Town will continue to work to reduce costs, raise grant money, and seek private funding to lessen the amount to be paid by Middlesex taxpayers.
More information follows and you can attend a Public Information Meeting & Tour on October 22 at 6pm at Town Hall followed by a Public Hearing at 6:30 at Town Hall or by Zoom to learn more, ask questions & provide feedback.
Background Information
WHAT
WHY
The current Town Hall has severe deficiencies:
Moreover,
PREVIOUS INFORMATION
Video & Recording of Town Hall Tour & Presentation, February 13, 2024
See a 15-minute tour of Town Hall and the deficiencies a renovation would fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhK028tfjxM
Watch the Town Hall Renovation Presentation from February 13 and learn more about what’s in store:
Town Hall Renovation Presentation (Presentation starts at 20 minutes from the beginning)
Input this passcode: T%Mmnr4%
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
The Town’s initial evaluation by Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA) was supported by Federal ARPA (America Recovery Act) funds and a Municipal Planning Grant.
Since March, VIA completed design drawings, and the Town contracted with E.F. Wall to be a construction manager to firm up cost estimates and be ready to move forward with the project in 2025 should funding be secured.
Lower-Level Plans
Main Level Plans
Outdoor Site Plan
Comparison of Middlesex Town Hall Costs with other similar projects
WHAT’S NEXT?
Middlesex voters are being asked to approve a bond for up to $2.5 million for Town Hall renovations. If approved, the Town will be ready to move forward with construction in 2025. If rejected, the Town will spend some money to make emergency repairs to the building and will re-evaluate how best to meet the Town’s needs for safe office, vault and meeting space needs in the long term.
See Link to Ballot language
COST CONTROL
Cost estimates are higher than anticipated. Middlesex applied for $500,000 in grant funding for energy & accessibility improvements. A decision on this grant is due in mid-October. In addition, the Town will continue to take steps to keep the project affordable to taxpayers through a combination of a) limiting the project to the town’s top priorities for the building, and b) seeking additional non-tax dollars (grants, private donations) to meet the project goals. The Town has already identified several areas where the project could be cut back if grant funding
is not available.
STILL WORTH IT?
While cost estimates are higher than anticipated, the proposed renovation is an investment, providing a safe, complete, comfortable and usable Town Hall for generations. A new building or remodeling a different building would still likely cost more and some grant funds are not available for a new building. Delaying aspects of the project would increase overall costs due to inflation and duplication of work.
ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT
If your Middlesex property is worth $300,000, a $2.5 million bond will cost about $156/year. If the Town can reduce the amount borrowed to $2.0 million (with grants, cost cutting & other fundraising), the estimated cost for a property worth $300,000 would be about $125 per year. See a more detailed estimated tax impact for $2.0 million and $2.5 million.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
TOWN HALL HISTORY
Learn more about the history of Middlesex Town Hall here
Possible Town Hall Renovations
Middlesex voters will be voting in November on a bond for up to $2.5 million to support renovations to Town Hall.
Learn more about Town Hall and the Bond vote here:
Summary:
Since the vote at Town Meeting in March 2024 to move the project forward, the Town Hall Committee has been busy finalizing design drawings and hiring a construction manager to firm up construction cost estimates.
The cost estimates are much higher than anticipated. Instead of an estimated $2 million project, the firmer estimates suggest it will be just over $3 million.
Acknowledging recent school spending increases, future town needs, delays in funding for road repairs, and the uncertainty of some grant funding, the Town is now working with the professionals we hired to sharpen our pencils and identify what work is most needed and how we can bring the costs down.
Middlesex voters will be deciding this November whether to approve a bond for up to $2.5 million to complete the project. The Town will continue to work to reduce costs, raise grant money, and seek private funding to lessen the amount to be paid by Middlesex taxpayers.
More information follows and you can attend a Public Information Meeting & Tour on October 22 at 6pm at Town Hall followed by a Public Hearing at 6:30 at Town Hall or by Zoom to learn more, ask questions & provide feedback.
Background Information
WHAT
- In 2023 Middlesex evaluated whether the existing Town Hall can continue to serve as a building for our Town Office, smaller public meetings and voting functions, or if Middlesex would be better served by either replacing the building at its present location or building a new Town Office at another location.
- Initial evaluation showed Town Hall is structurally sound and renovation would be less expensive than building new.
- In March 2024 Middlesex voters authorized funds to complete the design phase with more detailed cost estimates.
- Middlesex voters are now being asked to approve a $2.5 million bond to support Town Hall renovations.
WHY
The current Town Hall has severe deficiencies:
- Limited septic capacity;
- Poor quality drinking water;
- Poor air quality, including elevated levels of radon;
- Lack of accessibility for people with physical disabilities;
- Old furnace for which repair parts are no longer made;
- Limited insulation;
- Vault space is near capacity.
Moreover,
- Storage, meeting, and public spaces interfere with work areas and with each other.
- Building design never accounted for now-commonplace computer presentations, Zoom meetings and audio/visual needs.
- Due to flooding, fire, etc. Middlesex has very limited indoor common spaces where community members can gather.
PREVIOUS INFORMATION
Video & Recording of Town Hall Tour & Presentation, February 13, 2024
See a 15-minute tour of Town Hall and the deficiencies a renovation would fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhK028tfjxM
Watch the Town Hall Renovation Presentation from February 13 and learn more about what’s in store:
Town Hall Renovation Presentation (Presentation starts at 20 minutes from the beginning)
Input this passcode: T%Mmnr4%
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
The Town’s initial evaluation by Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA) was supported by Federal ARPA (America Recovery Act) funds and a Municipal Planning Grant.
Since March, VIA completed design drawings, and the Town contracted with E.F. Wall to be a construction manager to firm up cost estimates and be ready to move forward with the project in 2025 should funding be secured.
Lower-Level Plans
Main Level Plans
Outdoor Site Plan
Comparison of Middlesex Town Hall Costs with other similar projects
WHAT’S NEXT?
Middlesex voters are being asked to approve a bond for up to $2.5 million for Town Hall renovations. If approved, the Town will be ready to move forward with construction in 2025. If rejected, the Town will spend some money to make emergency repairs to the building and will re-evaluate how best to meet the Town’s needs for safe office, vault and meeting space needs in the long term.
See Link to Ballot language
COST CONTROL
Cost estimates are higher than anticipated. Middlesex applied for $500,000 in grant funding for energy & accessibility improvements. A decision on this grant is due in mid-October. In addition, the Town will continue to take steps to keep the project affordable to taxpayers through a combination of a) limiting the project to the town’s top priorities for the building, and b) seeking additional non-tax dollars (grants, private donations) to meet the project goals. The Town has already identified several areas where the project could be cut back if grant funding
is not available.
STILL WORTH IT?
While cost estimates are higher than anticipated, the proposed renovation is an investment, providing a safe, complete, comfortable and usable Town Hall for generations. A new building or remodeling a different building would still likely cost more and some grant funds are not available for a new building. Delaying aspects of the project would increase overall costs due to inflation and duplication of work.
ESTIMATED TAX IMPACT
If your Middlesex property is worth $300,000, a $2.5 million bond will cost about $156/year. If the Town can reduce the amount borrowed to $2.0 million (with grants, cost cutting & other fundraising), the estimated cost for a property worth $300,000 would be about $125 per year. See a more detailed estimated tax impact for $2.0 million and $2.5 million.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
- Fall 2023 – Preliminary evaluation
- March 2024 – Voters allocated funds for final design
- Summer 2024 – Construction manager hired
- Fall 2024 – Design work & cost estimate completed
- November 2024 – Bond vote
- Winter 2025 – Grant applications & private fundraising
- Spring 2025 – Construction begins
TOWN HALL HISTORY
Learn more about the history of Middlesex Town Hall here
February 2024
Possible Town Hall Renovations
Video & Recording of Town Hall Tour & Presentation, February 13, 2024
See a 15-minute tour of Town Hall and the deficiencies a renovation would fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhK028tfjxM
Watch the Town Hall Renovation Presentation from February 13 and learn more about what’s in store:
Town Hall Renovation Presentation (Presentation starts at 20 minutes from the beginning)
Input this passcode: T%Mmnr4%
Background Information
WHAT
Over a year ago, Middlesex began evaluating whether:
A) the existing Town Hall can continue to serve as a building for our Town Office and other smaller public meeting and voting functions, or
B) if Middlesex would be better served by either replacing the building at its present location or building a new Town Office at another location.
The Town Hall building has offices downstairs and a meeting room upstairs that is also used for voting and office space.
With the help of a committee reporting to the Middlesex Selectboard, the Town secured grant funding, hired a professional architect, and undertook the initial evaluation to determine what spaces are needed and how to best address numerous deficiencies with the existing Town Hall building.
WHY
The current Town Hall has severe deficiencies:
Moreover,
EVALUATE OPTIONS
The Select Board wants to provide an affordable, inviting, accessible, safe, and efficient facility that meets current and future needs for the Middlesex community.
The Select Board evaluated three options: 1) Renovating the existing Town Hall; 2) Renovating the existing Town Hall with an addition; and 3) Building a new Town Office at another location.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
The Town dedicated some of the Federal ARPA (America Recovery Act) funds to hire Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA). Additionally, the town was awarded a Municipal Planning Grant for this initial evaluation.
This architectural firm presented the Town with its evaluation and preliminary cost estimates in October 2023. This information is helping determine the best path forward.
Click here to see the presentation Vermont Integrated Architects delivered to the public on October 3rd
WHAT’S NEXT?
Based on the initial evaluation of cost and feasibility, renovating the existing space seems to be the best option. The current Town Hall building is structurally sound and renovating the existing space can accommodate all the uses.
Before moving forward to develop final plans, the Select Board wanted Town voters to decide whether to approve the allocation of up to $65,000 to complete the Design Phase of a potential Middlesex Town Hall renovation. This will be discussed and voted on at Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
See Town Meeting Warning here.
COST CONTROL
In planning and going forward, the Town has and will continue to take steps to keep the project affordable to taxpayers through a combination of a) limiting the project to the town’s top priorities for the building, and b) seeking additional non-tax dollars (grants, private donations) to meet the project goals.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
The preliminary evaluation was completed in the fall of 2023. If voters approve allocating funds for final design work, that will move forward through the summer in anticipation of a bond vote in November 2024 to allow for construction in 2025.
Town Hall Renovations - Frequently Asked Questions
Possible Town Hall Renovations
Video & Recording of Town Hall Tour & Presentation, February 13, 2024
See a 15-minute tour of Town Hall and the deficiencies a renovation would fix:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhK028tfjxM
Watch the Town Hall Renovation Presentation from February 13 and learn more about what’s in store:
Town Hall Renovation Presentation (Presentation starts at 20 minutes from the beginning)
Input this passcode: T%Mmnr4%
Background Information
WHAT
Over a year ago, Middlesex began evaluating whether:
A) the existing Town Hall can continue to serve as a building for our Town Office and other smaller public meeting and voting functions, or
B) if Middlesex would be better served by either replacing the building at its present location or building a new Town Office at another location.
The Town Hall building has offices downstairs and a meeting room upstairs that is also used for voting and office space.
With the help of a committee reporting to the Middlesex Selectboard, the Town secured grant funding, hired a professional architect, and undertook the initial evaluation to determine what spaces are needed and how to best address numerous deficiencies with the existing Town Hall building.
WHY
The current Town Hall has severe deficiencies:
- Limited septic capacity;
- Poor quality drinking water;
- Poor air quality, including elevated levels of radon;
- Lack of accessibility for people with physical disabilities;
- Old furnace for which repair parts are no longer made;
- No insulation;
- Vault space is near capacity.
Moreover,
- Storage, meeting, and public spaces interfere with work areas and with each other.
- Building design never accounted for now-commonplace computer presentations, Zoom meetings and audio/visual needs.
- Due to flooding, fire, etc. Middlesex has very limited indoor common spaces where community members can gather.
EVALUATE OPTIONS
The Select Board wants to provide an affordable, inviting, accessible, safe, and efficient facility that meets current and future needs for the Middlesex community.
The Select Board evaluated three options: 1) Renovating the existing Town Hall; 2) Renovating the existing Town Hall with an addition; and 3) Building a new Town Office at another location.
PROFESSIONAL REVIEW
The Town dedicated some of the Federal ARPA (America Recovery Act) funds to hire Vermont Integrated Architecture (VIA). Additionally, the town was awarded a Municipal Planning Grant for this initial evaluation.
This architectural firm presented the Town with its evaluation and preliminary cost estimates in October 2023. This information is helping determine the best path forward.
Click here to see the presentation Vermont Integrated Architects delivered to the public on October 3rd
WHAT’S NEXT?
Based on the initial evaluation of cost and feasibility, renovating the existing space seems to be the best option. The current Town Hall building is structurally sound and renovating the existing space can accommodate all the uses.
Before moving forward to develop final plans, the Select Board wanted Town voters to decide whether to approve the allocation of up to $65,000 to complete the Design Phase of a potential Middlesex Town Hall renovation. This will be discussed and voted on at Town Meeting on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
See Town Meeting Warning here.
COST CONTROL
In planning and going forward, the Town has and will continue to take steps to keep the project affordable to taxpayers through a combination of a) limiting the project to the town’s top priorities for the building, and b) seeking additional non-tax dollars (grants, private donations) to meet the project goals.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
The preliminary evaluation was completed in the fall of 2023. If voters approve allocating funds for final design work, that will move forward through the summer in anticipation of a bond vote in November 2024 to allow for construction in 2025.
Town Hall Renovations - Frequently Asked Questions
| town_hall_initial_wnm_post.pdf |