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Old townhouse: water leak, generator moved and FAQ set for public session
Summary
Committee reported a domestic water leak inside the old townhouse, plans to move a newer generator and reuse air‑conditioning units (with a roughly $58,000 utility rebate), and finalized a 20‑question FAQ and public outreach plan ahead of a Tuesday public presentation and a summer draft recommendation.
The firehouse building committee provided an update on the town‑owned old townhouse: a domestic water leak has been detected inside a wall (visible as puddling but with no major structural collapse reported), and the committee plans to move a 19‑year‑old generator to the active building and repurpose air‑conditioning units for cost savings.
Moderator summarized the maintenance findings: the leak appears to come from domestic plumbing inside concrete and has caused localized puddling but not extensive damage. The committee said the generator at the old townhouse is 49 years old and the unit proposed to be moved is 19 years old; they expect the 19‑year‑old unit to be sufficient to support essential building systems. The Moderator added the town expects an energy rebate of approximately $58,000 tied to reusing the donated or relocated equipment.
Public outreach and FAQ: the committee reviewed a prepared set of 20 frequently asked questions intended for the project landing page and for an upcoming public event (a Tuesday meeting before the evening session). The FAQ addresses carrying costs for the vacant building, grant competitiveness, asbestos concerns, whether the Elizabeth Sessions gift deed restricts sale or residential use, and options including sale/leaseback or preservation of the Melville Room and auditorium.
What residents asked and what the committee said: residents questioned carrying costs (a wide range was reported in the materials), whether the town could take on more debt after the $8.3 million fire‑station obligation (answer: voters could approve additional borrowing but town appetite is uncertain), and whether partial fixes are allowed under Massachusetts building code (answer: code triggers and ADA requirements often push a partial fix into a full renovation).
Next steps: the committee will host the Tuesday outreach session, post the FAQ and related materials on the landing page, and collect public comments via stickers and comment forms that will be reviewed as part of the summer recommendation process. The committee emphasized that final decisions will be made by town meeting after the select board receives the committee's recommendation.
Quotes: "We're going to remove the air conditioning from the old townhouse... we're going to receive a... $58,000 rebate from the energy company," the Moderator said. "As a gift, we can sell it," the Presenter added when the group asked if the Elizabeth Sessions gift deed prevented sale.
