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Brookfield approves phased repairs to town hall acoustics after lengthy debate
Summary
After extended discussion and an amendment, Brookfield voters approved $10,000 for an immediate deposit and an amended $25,000 appropriation (from the townhouse repair capital reserve) to begin phased work to improve the town-hall acoustics; residents and specialists debated costs, accessibility and preservation trade-offs.
Two warrant articles considered phased acoustic improvements for the town hall. The selectmen recommended initial funding from the townhouse repair capital reserve fund to address persistent reverberation problems identified in an acoustical engineering report.
Selectman Rich (who spoke to both articles) and committee members described the recommendation: ceiling treatment would be the "biggest bang" for the town and the engineering report included incremental options such as ceiling tiles, draperies and rugs. The report included quotes for options: one drapery estimate was $34,000 before a 30% discount (brought to about $24,000), while ceiling panels plus installation was quoted in the neighborhood of roughly $12,000—2,500 for the full ceiling in the town's account of the quotes.
Opponents and some long-time attendees urged caution about committing funds without a precise final cost. Moderator Mike Moore and other residents questioned whether the problem had been adequately presented before votes. Supporters, including residents with hearing difficulties, described diminished participation and social impacts of the current acoustics.
Procedurally the meeting first approved Article 17 (a $10,000 deposit to the townhouse repair capital reserve fund) by a raise-of-hands tally reported as 29 in favor and 23 opposed. The meeting later returned to Article 16 after tabling and an amendment raised the appropriation to $25,000; that amended Article 16 passed by hands with a reported 34 in favor and 19 opposed. Selectmen said phase 1 work could begin in summer if contracts proceed as planned and that further phases would return to the town for additional approval.
