Letter from the Selectboard re: Status of Buildings
The following is a message from the Princeton Selectboard. Attached is a copy of the same information, in a formal letter format.
May 1, 2019
We would like to use this opportunity to update you on the status of some of our building-related projects. The new Princeton Senior and Community Center is now in use and the grand opening celebration took place on April 28. The Center is in newly renovated space at Post Office Place (206 Worcester Road) with three activity rooms, a multi-function space, office, kitchen, and bathrooms. We encourage you to stop by and check it out. The Selectboard is pleased that the Town was able to secure good lease terms for this space and that it will be available to serve our residents for many years to come. You will be hearing more from us on the availability of the space for community use.
There were three building stabilization projects approved at last Town Meeting: Bagg Hall, Town Center Police/Fire, and Annex. Chris Conway, Steve Mirick, and Jim O’Coin have been helping our Town Administrator, Nina Nazarian, with these projects. The largest of the three at $1.25 million, Bagg Hall, is in its early stages. We received five responses to our Request for Qualifications, selected the most qualified, and authorized the TA to enter into contract negotiations with that firm. The selected firm will do the design and engineering work. We will go out to bid for a contractor.
The Town Center Police/Fire stabilization project is further along. Following the same process, an architect firm was selected and the design work is 95% complete. Two aspects of the stabilization work came in at a cost higher than anticipated because of unforeseen complexities. The suspended concrete slab in the police garage / sally port is in significantly worse shape than originally believed and repair is estimated at $55,000. Given the concerns of the engineer, the SB voted to close the garage to all vehicles. The other piece that came in higher than expected was stabilizing the sagging truss over 3 fire apparatus bays at $57,000. The repair would stabilize the truss but would not make the bays any more functional than they currently are. The engineer would not sign off on any repairs to the truss without doing the recommended work. The Selectboard decided to not fix the garage floor or the sagging. This will allow us to concentrate our resources on the future cost of a new Public Safety building.
The stabilization of the Annex was intended to fix some safety issues and to make the building suitable for Bagg Hall employees during the estimated two years of Bagg Hall stabilization work. The expected cost of stabilizing and renovating the Annex is $350,000-375,000. The Selectboard was concerned about putting that much taxpayer money into a temporary solution. The economics of renting appear to be much more favorable. Therefore, the Selectboard decided to not move forward at this time with this project and authorized the Town Administrator to explore options with owners of commercial space in town for the lease of space for Bagg Hall employees for the duration of the stabilization work. Any money saved will be set aside to offset the future cost of a new Public Safety building.
We have also been continuing our efforts to build a new Public Safety building on the site of the Princeton Center school. Our existing town center fire/police station has many problems and needs to be replaced. Per Jones Whitsett Architects, the Public Safety Complex has reached the end of its useful life and poorly serves the needs of the town. It is not worth saving. The Facilities Steering Committee has been working to investigate whether there are less expensive construction options available while the Selectboard has been working with our legislators and the Governor’s office to try to secure the funding authorized by the Bond Bill. Our legislators tell us that we are more likely to receive State assistance if we have plans and design documents prepared and are shovel ready. If or when we build a new public safety building, the existing fire/police complex in the center and the Annex will be closed and razed to provide adequate parking and expansion space around Bagg Hall. There will be a presentation by the Facilities Steering Committee and an opportunity to vote on the next step for a new Public Safety building at the ATM.
Last year’s Town Meeting authorized the sale of Mechanics Hall subject to restrictions decided upon by the Selectboard after receiving recommendations from a committee. That committee gave its report to the Selectboard who, in turn, determined the factors that it would look for in a proposal and the weight that would be given to each factor. Nina and Town Counsel are working on a Request for Proposals (RFP) that will hopefully go out before ATM. The committee and the Selectboard believe that priority should be given to projects that maintain some or all of the exterior aspects of the building (primarily the façade) and is an asset to the East Princeton village. After the RFP is out, responders have a period of time to put together their proposals and submit them to the town. At that point, the SB will rank the proposals and, if there is an acceptable one, enter into negotiations with that responder.
The repair of the Gazebo on the Town Common was also authorized at ATM. The Town will be getting quotes for the replacement of the roof and the repair of rot on other parts of the building.
Inspection of the Library clock tower by Chris Conway uncovered damage that needs to be repaired. The Library Trustees have hired Jones Whitsett Architects to do the design work and are funding that design. It is expected that the cost of this repair may be in the $500k ballpark it is going to be considered in the context of the larger picture of the Town’s finances to plan timing of the repairs.
The Selectboard has been discussing the formation of a Buildings Advisory Committee modelled, in part, after the Road Advisory Committee and will be working on the charge for the committee and recruiting members over the summer. This model will enable us to have a multi-year building maintenance plan which will help us lower our long-run costs by being proactive. It will also allow us to factor building maintenance into a long-term financial model.
Sincerely,
The Princeton Selectboard
Richard Bisk, Chair
Karen Cruise
Edith Morgan