Permanent Building Committee approves $113,335 payment for Lansing Millis train station; volunteer outlines interior restoration, fundraising

The Permanent Building Committee approved a progress payment of $113,335 to AquaBarriers for work at the Lansing Millis Train Station during the committee's Oct. 15 meeting.

"I make a motion to approve a progress payment for AquaBears for work in the Lansing Millis Train Station for the amount of $113,335," a committee member moved; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

Ellen (committee member) presented photographs and a condition report for the station. She said the exterior restoration has largely been completed, with trim replaced in Azek, repairs to the copper roof and rebuilt decorative elements on the turret. Ellen said the interior needs plastering, painting, new flooring and updated lighting, and she estimated preliminary bids at about $70,000.

"There are 4 things that need to be done. It needs to be plastered, painted, new flooring, and new lighting," Ellen said, and she provided an estimated breakdown: roughly $30,000 for plaster, $16,000 for paint, $10,000 for flooring and the remainder for lighting and incidental work.

Ellen said she has set up a train station fund with the town finance director and had already raised approximately one-third of the preliminary estimate. She told the committee she has approached local businesses and has received multiple bids for portions of the work.

Committee members and staff reviewed procurement and oversight requirements. Town counsel and staff (as referenced) advised that private donations under $10,000 can be spent without public bidding, but projects over $10,000 require a three-bid process with documented specifications, progress payments, retainage and lien waivers to protect the town.

Committee members said they will work with Ellen to develop a clear scope and specification for the interior work so the town can solicit bids when funding is in hand. They emphasized the Select Board would need to approve any formal program use changes (for example, hosting a food pantry or museum) and that the Permanent Building Committee would oversee execution of any approved renovation.

The committee also noted the contractor's progress payment is still within the approved budget and that retainage remains outstanding; the payment approved on Oct. 15 was not expected to be the final draw for AquaBarriers.

Ellen proposed that the restored building could house a food pantry on the first floor and a local-history display on the second floor; committee members said those program decisions would be directed to the Select Board for formal approval.

The committee closed the item after discussing next steps: finalize scope documents and specs, confirm fundraising and then issue procurement documentation and bids as required by town purchasing rules.