Minutes, THROC meeting 10/3/16, Town Hall, former Selectmen’s Office, before joint meeting with Selectmen.
Meeting called to order by Brackett Scheffy, Moderator at 6:00pm. Committee members present were Harry Wright, Chairman, Marcia Keller, Will Kranz, Michele Halsted and Scott Mckenney.
Minutes of the 9/14/16 meeting were approved.
Marcia Keller read her Letter of Resignation from the THROC, copy attached. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to refuse Marcia’s resignation. However, she insisted and the resignation was (regretfully) accepted by the committee. The committee thanked Marcia for her years of dedication and countless hours of effort to the project.
Michele Halsted discussed fundraising and the fact that fundraising activity has been dormant since May, awaiting a commitment from the Selectmen to place a Town Hall Restoration bond on the warrant for town meeting, 2017. Also, fundraising to support the efforts of Scott Mckenney in his time to secure bids, etc. has been held up by the same issue.
It was stated that the two year completion plan outlined by selectman Pfeifle at the previous joint meeting would jeopardize some of the funding in the RHC for the project. Some contributors had threatened to request that their contributions be returned if this were the case.
The committee voted on their position re: John’s 2 year plan. The vote was 1 in favor, 2 opposed, 1 abstention. The committee’s previous commitment to a single year solution was maintained.
The committee discussed the idea of putting the new septic system in the SW corner of the property as opposed to the current plan (under the parking area, NW side). The consensus was that it would be a good idea, but should be studied and recommended by the septic designer (RCS Designs) before approval. It was decided to include the septic system as one of the projects in the bond, and to fund the review of the location after the bond has passed.
The meeting was moved to the east room to convene in the planned joint meeting with the selectmen.
Marcia Keller’s resignation letter follows:
Before you get into your discussion for the evening, I would like to submit my retirement/resignation from the THROC, but of course, have a few comments.
The mission of the Town Hall Restoration Committee is to restore the Town Hall to a functional building for municipal services and community use. The best investment for the town is to modernize the building to provide for the town’s present needs, as cost effectively as possible, so that it can continue to serve Bradford for many years to come, consistent with its historical character.
- Past five years or more, committees appointed by the Selectmen have worked to develop plans to carry out the Mission Statement engaging three architects, engineers in various disciplines, a licensed septic designer, historic restoration specialists, state fire marshal and others, as needed, to address codes, regulations and best practices.
- Input from the town administrator and town clerk to ensure design of the workplace for efficiency and for safety of employees and town records, resulted, among other things, of inclusion of a second egress on the west side of the building for safety.
- At each step, decisions were presented to the Selectmen for their approval. When they requested/required a full basement, the plans were changed (shortly before a Town Meeting) to provide one.
- When it was determined that the front door could not accommodate the ADA access, fire marshal, architect, LCHIP selected an alternative agreeable to all.
- When the decision was made to move offices back into the Town Hall, the THROC was supportive, but stepped back, at the request of the Selectmen, until after the move.
- As time was running short, the THROC engaged a general contractor to ensure that current quotes could be obtained in time for March 2017.
Then, Bradford’s reputation for disdaining ‘professional’ help stepped in and the THROC was faced with a series of ultimatums – approval only if, and if, and if. There was no discussion with the THROC on the changes required; just presented as must do (unless unspecified proof was offered).
Committees come and go, Selectmen come and go, the Bradford Town Hall remains and continues to hope for support to carry out the mission statement and provide the Town with a modernized – read energy efficient, up to code – building that can continue to serve its functions and needs for the next 150 years.
I continue to endorse and support the restoration of the Town Hall, but no longer have the energy to deal with the situation as it has developed over the past few months.
Best wishes and good luck to the THROC and to Bradford’s historic Town Hall.
Marcia O. Keller 3 October 2016