Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Officials debate future of Horseneck temporary building; flood risk and retrofit costs cited
Summary
Budget Committee members and staff debated whether to demolish or reuse the Horseneck temporary building. DPW and planning staff said the structure was built for temporary use, has temporary utilities and sits in a flood-prone area that limits residential repurposing; staff recommended careful planning and possible investment if the town wants a permanent facility.
The Budget Committee discussed whether to demolish the Horseneck temporary building or retain it as municipal "swing space." DPW and planning staff described the structure as originally built for temporary firehouse/station-related use, with temporary water and wastewater hookups, and said converting it to a permanent facility would require a new site plan, modifications and investment.
A department representative explained the building was useful as storage and swing space for projects such as the Costco pump-station work and that DPW’s current use is acceptable. Planning staff and committee members noted the site is low-lying, in a flood zone and lacks what the state would call "dry access," which makes residential or affordable housing redevelopment unlikely without significant mitigation.
"If we knew now what we knew then, we probably would have made a lot of different decisions... the purpose of that building and the way it was built does not in my opinion lend itself easily to a lot of other uses," a DPW/planning representative said, while acknowledging the building’s current utility for storage and temporary operations.
Why it matters: Decisions about the Horseneck site affect capital planning, department swing-space needs and the appearance of a prominent approach to the town. Converting the site to permanent use could require sizable investment and environmental (floodplain) mitigation.
What’s next: Staff suggested coordinated planning among DPW, planning and other departments to clarify goals, sequence necessary approvals (site plan/MI) and weigh investments before deciding whether to demolish or adapt the building.
