The Hudson Board of Selectmen discussed a potential warrant article for Town Hall, during its most recent meeting.
“In 2023, the Board of Selectmen held a public meeting regarding the need for a new Town Hall building, and the feedback from the public was that the existing building needs to be further evaluated before a new Town Hall is justified.” Town Engineer Elvis Dhima wrote in a memo to the Board of Selectmen. “Based on that feedback, the Board of Selectmen moved forward with the assessment of the existing Town Hall building, which was awarded to NorthPoint Construction.”
Dhima explained that recently the Selectmen were presented with four options, and it was determined that they should further look at two of those options.
Of those options, Option Two, was for renovations throughout the entire building.
“Renovations throughout the building for $165/square foot and building addition for $185 square foot,” the memo from Dhima stated. “The building addition would be adjacent to the Land Use/ Inspectional Services area, and approximately 2,000 square feet in total including 1,000 square feet for the Buxton Meeting Room expansion and 1,000 square feet for the first floor. “
Dhima said that the anticipated price would be between $1.5 million and $2.3 million to make the renovations.
The other plan being looked at is Option Three, which would look at the demolition and rebuilding of the current Town Hall building.
“Demolition of the existing Town Hall, 12,000 s.f., and building a new Town Hall, 17,000 s.f. with additional parking spaces for $350/square foot. for approximately $6 million, not including site work, which will be approximately $1 million,” Dhima wrote in the memo to the Board of Selectmen.
In addition it was explained that Dhima “was directed to further investigate the design cost related to Option Two and Three, in addition to the cost related to the replacement oldie wheel lift, which is currently out of service.”
“NorthPoint Construction has provided a scope of work and fee for Option Two, in the amount of $54,800, and for Option Three, in the amount of $93,300,” Dhima wrote in a memo.
He also explained that they received an official quote for the cost related to the wheel lift for the amount of $40,303.40.
Town Administrator Steve Malizia explained that the point of the warrant article, if they were to move forward with it, would be to have the design of either option done, in order to be able to get a better idea of a price for what it would take.
From there, they could determine if they want to look for a warrant article in the future for the actual construction or renovation to the Town Hall building.
Vice Chair Dillon Dumont said that he thinks Option Two would be the more responsible option at this point to explore.
It was ultimately decided to delay a decision to the Dec. 10 meeting.
The next Board of Selectmen meeting is slated for Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
