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Woburn Council OKs $1.5 million transfer from stabilization fund to buy City Hall Annex
Summary
The council approved an $1.5 million transfer from the stabilization fund for purchase and rehab of a City Hall Annex at 6 Common St., 8–1 on a roll call vote; supporters said it addresses overcrowding, storage and federal nursing-mother requirements, while one councilor opposed on fiscal grounds.
The Woburn City Council on Oct. 1 approved an order to transfer $1.5 million from the stabilization fund to the City Hall Annex Building Project (6 Common Street) for purchase and rehabilitation, passing the measure by roll call, 8–1.
Council supporters framed the transfer as an investment and a practical response to cramped city offices and storage problems. "The space in City Hall is maxed out," one councilor said, noting records stored off-site and staff working in closets; another said purchasing the annex is an appreciating asset that will benefit operations and residents. Councilors also cited compliance needs: one said the city currently lacks nursing-mother accommodations required by federal law and that the annex would address that exposure.
Opposition centered on process and cumulative costs. One councilor said digitization and remote-work policies might mitigate space needs and that the city should be cautious about additional spending, calling the transfer "not something I will support." Proponents responded that the cost to digitize all records would likely exceed the annex price and that the annex would centralize departments and provide dry, secure records storage.
The council adopted the committee report and approved the transfer by roll call. The vote was 8 in favor, 1 opposed. Next steps include completing the purchase and planning rehabilitation work and a departmental move plan.
