Town information meeting details $1.04 million plan to add and renovate the town hall; electors to vote May 4

Monica Zeller opened an informational meeting on March 23 to review plans for a 30x50 addition and renovation of the town hall, presenting inspection summaries, a project schedule and financing estimates ahead of a planned elector vote.

Ken Schwebke, a member of the Planning & Zoning Committee and a career engineer with Boldt Construction, said he spent six months investigating the building and that other experts concurred: "the bones of this building are structurally sound," he said, while outlining several localized repairs and upgrades the team recommends.

Schwebke detailed observed problems and proposed fixes: wall cavities with only 1" of styrofoam insulation and rodent droppings; limited wall insulation and gaps; a ceiling collapse caused by sagged 4" batt insulation; outdated wiring; and an overloaded double‑layer metal roof with an unsupported 12" overhang. The plan calls for new wall insulation (replacing styrofoam with USAB board), a new suspended ceiling with blown‑in 12" insulation, LED lighting, and removal of existing roof layers followed by a new metal roof with a 2' overhang to divert snow and water from the foundation.

Officials discussed flooring and potential asbestos concerns. The June 2023 building analysis reported no asbestos; organizers said if tile tests confirm no asbestos, the tile will be removed, and if asbestos is found it will be encapsulated in epoxy. They also described mechanical fixes: enlarging and redesigning the north‑end furnace room to provide proper condensation drainage and address mold.

Interior reconfiguration would create a larger office area (roughly double existing space) with a unisex, handicap‑accessible bathroom, a 20‑person meeting room with multimedia upgrades, relocated east double doors and reconfigured windows for ventilation. File storage will be behind double‑layer walls for added protection; the kitchen will gain a utility area and mop sink. Exterior finishes include a wood post and truss entry with a stone surround up to 4' and metal panel siding.

Designers propose 53 parking spaces overall; the south lot loses four spaces but Front Street improvements and nine spaces on the north end are planned, with all lots to be resealed and restriped. Presenters said the town does not need to add fire suppression because of project size, but will pursue grant funding for an emergency generator.

Project cost was presented as $1,043,965, with $150,000 available from town funds, leaving an estimated $893,965 to finance. Presenters provided an illustrative financing example: "On a 10‑year loan, this would equate to $38.00 per $100,000 valuation." A second informational meeting is scheduled for April 27; organizers said a resolution to call a special meeting of electors would be prepared at the April 12 board meeting, the annual electors meeting is April 19, and a special electors meeting to vote on the addition/renovation is set for May 4. If approved, construction bids would be solicited with an anticipated August start and an addition completion target of Jan. 1, followed by renovation of the existing hall.

Residents asked technical and planning questions during a Q&A. Kevin VanCamp and others raised concerns about septic integrity and traffic over the septic tank; presenters said Maiden Lake Plumbing inspected the system on Jan. 23 and that the 1996 concrete tank (rated 1,760 gallons per day) with PVC piping appears in working order, and that light traffic such as ATVs and snowmobiles is not expected to harm the tank. Drew Zelle and others pressed on the need for more office space; Zeller said the current layout lacks privacy and does not support concurrent staff and public interactions, and the addition would create private office space and a larger meeting area.

Public commenters offered a mix of support and skepticism. Roger Wight praised Ken's work then cautioned the project may be only "putting lipstick on a pig." Resident Skip Haggstrom criticized past renovation work on another project, saying the contractor "did a horrible job;" Zeller stopped further comment from him. Supporters urged planning for the future and thanked organizers for the presentation.

The meeting closed after organizers reiterated the timeline for the informational sessions and the May 4 elector vote; no formal vote on the project took place at this meeting.