Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Town Hall Renovation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Town Hall Planning Committee recommends renovating existing Town Hall after Nucleo proposal stalls
Summary
After no formal proposal arrived from developer Nucleo for Robin Hall, the New Marlborough Town Hall Planning Committee voted unanimously to recommend that the Select Board move forward with renovating the existing Town Hall; members noted structural inspections show the attic beams can support roof repairs and proposed FY26 capital funding could cover design and project management.
The New Marlborough Town Hall Planning Committee voted unanimously on Jan. 10 to recommend that the Select Board proceed with renovating the town's existing Town Hall building after no formal proposal was received from developer Nucleo for an alternative site.
Committee Chair Barbara Marchione called the meeting to order at 10:04 a.m. and the panel first approved minutes from its Oct. 7, 2024 meeting (motion by Rona Easton, seconded by Bob Hartt; Chris Gregor abstained). The committee then discussed the status of a possible Nucleo proposal for Robin Hall. Committee members reported there has been no proposal submitted; the proposal had been due Nov. 14. According to the minutes, Marc Trachtenberg of Nucleo told the Select Board on Nov. 18 that the delay stemmed from difficulty obtaining a performance bond for a subcontractor but described the problem as solvable. Committee members said they have had no further communication.
Barbara Marchione reported that on Nov. 18 the Select Board asked the Town Hall Planning Committee to reconsider renovation of the existing Town Hall. She said the Finance Committee, Select Board and Capital Planning Committee met the night before and proposed FY26 capital funding for a project manager and design for the existing building.
The committee agreed that, in the absence of a submitted proposal from Nucleo and with no suitable land identified for a new building, the only remaining viable option is to renovate the existing Town Hall. Members noted it would be cleaner to receive a written withdrawal from Nucleo but treated that as a Select Board matter rather than one for the planning committee to pursue.
On the building condition, Mari Enoch reported that "the attic beams were sound and could support the roof repair." Committee members agreed to review accessibility plans prepared by EDM in 2021; those plans address accessibility but do not cover office layout or other repairs. Bob Hartt argued a broader approach is needed, saying the committee should take "a completely fresh look at the building." Members also noted that a design review committee will need to be established by the Select Board to guide design decisions beyond accessibility.
A formal motion was made by Bob Hartt, seconded by Rona Easton, that after considering all options — including Robin Hall, for which no proposal was received, and a new building, for which no suitable land exists — the committee recommend that the Select Board move forward with renovating the existing Town Hall building. The motion passed unanimously.
Barbara said she will contact committee members about a future meeting date. A motion to adjourn, made by Barbara Marchione and seconded by Bob Hartt, carried and the meeting ended at 11:15 a.m.
Next steps: the recommendation will be forwarded to the Select Board; the committee will review EDM's 2021 accessibility plans and await direction from the Select Board about forming a design review committee and use of proposed FY26 capital funds for project management and design.
