Pearl Theater renovation scope grows after structural and asbestos finds; staff seeks expedited board guidance

Grant updated trustees on escalating costs and emergent hazards at the Pearl Theater rehabilitation. After initial shoring and garage demolition, crews discovered a compromised beam and potential asbestos in multiple building layers, forcing additional testing and abatement planning.

Grant said initial estimates for removing asbestos in a small garage area were about $17,000; expanding remediation to roof areas would substantially increase costs. Project estimates have already risen from roughly $50,000 to as much as $200,000 as the contractor refines scope to address shoring, structural repairs and abatement.

Nut graf: The owner (the "groy"/project sponsor) has so far paid bills to date, but town staff warned that continued scope growth raises the chance the town could be asked to act if work stalls or hazardous conditions create a public nuisance; staff asked for two trustees to serve as a rapid‑response committee to provide guidance between meetings.

Trustees discussed façade retention versus full demolition and acknowledged grant fundraising and private financing complexities for older privately owned historic buildings. Several trustees volunteered to serve on a two‑person committee to help staff make timely decisions and relay board guidance when emergent hazards require action.

Ending: The board appointed two volunteers to act as a between‑meeting sounding board and directed staff to continue working with the owner, contractor and preservation partners to resolve shoring and abatement scheduling and costs; if town action is required, staff will seek formal board approval.