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Woburn council authorizes friendly taking of 6 Common Street and approves $1.5M from stabilization fund
Summary
The council voted to authorize the mayor to begin a friendly taking for 6 Common Street, a property adjacent to City Hall, and the finance committee approved transferring $1.5 million from the stabilization fund to cover purchase and initial rehab. Supporters said the building would solve long‑standing storage and office space shortages; opponents urged caution about timing and tax impacts.
WOBURN — The council voted this week to authorize the mayor to begin a friendly taking of 6 Common Street, the building next door to City Hall, and the finance committee approved a companion transfer of $1.5 million from the city—s stabilization fund to cover the purchase price and initial rehabilitation.
Administration officials said the move would immediately address chronic space and records‑storage shortages in multiple departments. City officials reported a city appraisal of $1,180,000 and a seller appraisal of $1,500,000; administration negotiators said they reached a tentative purchase agreement at $1.25 million and requested $1.5 million to cover the acquisition plus about $160,000 in ADA and restroom upgrades identified by a local contractor.
"This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to buy this building," the mayor—s office said in committee testimony, arguing that proximity to City Hall and internal storage needs make the purchase efficient and that funds were available in the stabilization account.
Councilors pressed for specifics. Several members described cramped office conditions, off‑site storage costs and legal requirements for retaining paper records. One councilor said the city—s general stabilization account currently holds more than $15 million, a level that, administration officials said, would absorb a $1.5 million transfer without raising taxes. The city solicitor and auditor also briefed the committee on the procurement steps and recommended documentation for future council votes.
Pastor Freddie Babuka, who spoke during the public comment period, said community groups had considered leasing the property for a learning center and asked councilors to consider community uses and parking effects if the city increases staffing at the site.
The finance committee approved the transfer to the "City Hall Annex Building Project" by voice vote. Council members also agreed the administration should circulate detailed cost breakdowns (roof condition, ADA work and a contractor—s estimate) before the October council review.
Next steps: the administration will proceed with the friendly‑taking paperwork and return to the full council with the specific purchase agreement and a line‑item rehabilitation plan. The transaction remains subject to standard municipal closing procedures.
