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Town buildings get scrutiny: train station reuse, town‑hall flooring and $250,000 parking lot repave proposed
Summary
Town staff told FinCom they plan to reuse the town train station for the Millis Food Pantry and a museum space, issued an RFP for Oak Grove residential tenancy, and proposed $75,000 for town‑hall flooring plus a $250,000 repave of the town‑hall parking lot to address settlement and a prior sinkhole.
The Finance Committee reviewed municipal capital needs and building management items after the school presentation.
Assistant Town Administrator (identified in the meeting as Ellen) outlined town‑building accounts, covering facilities including police, fire, library, Niagara Hall and the train station at 64 Exchange Street. She said the town owns the train station and is preparing interior work to reopen it, with the Millis Food Pantry proposed to occupy the ground floor and a museum/upstairs display space planned for town artifacts. Fundraising and interior work are underway, with an anticipated public unveiling in late spring or early summer.
Oak Grove tenancy: staff reported an RFP for residential tenancy at Oak Grove, with proposals due April 16. The town wants a residential tenant to take on certain grounds responsibilities; bidding will determine the rent and terms.
Town‑hall flooring and parking lot capital articles: staff presented two capital requests for the Veterans Memorial/Town Hall: $75,000 to replace worn carpet and vinyl, refinish hardwood and repair worn stair treads (targeting the oldest, most worn one‑third of floors), and a comprehensive paving project quoted at roughly $250,000 to repave the front and back lots after decades of settling and cracking (staff mentioned a sinkhole last year). The assistant stressed safety and functional needs as drivers for the requests and said the paving project is intended for this fiscal year if funding is available.
What happens next: both capital articles will appear as part of the town’s capital article for Town Meeting discussion; the RFP process for Oak Grove will determine tenant terms and rental revenue assumptions.
