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Acushnet Historical Commission says Town Meeting funding will let museum exterior repairs begin
Summary
The Acushnet Historical Commission reported on July 14 that Town Meeting approved funding for exterior repairs to the town museum; the commission expects exterior work to begin within weeks while interior work will wait until later this year. The chair described rot, damaged clapboards and recent flooding as driving urgency.
The Acushnet Historical Commission said July 14 that Town Meeting approved funds to begin exterior repairs on the town museum, and commissioners expect work to start in the coming weeks.
"We were able to get all the funding for the museum work," the Chair said, adding that interior work will be scheduled later in the year to reduce disruption. The Chair said the decision to sequence work reflects contractors’ and contractors’ schedules and a preference by the contractor to perform interior work during winter months.
Commission members described extensive exterior rot and recent heavy rain that produced local flooding. The Chair said a carpenter walked the site with her and pointed out rotted clapboard and other repairs that will be addressed immediately. "We got over 4 inches," the Chair said of recent rainfall that exacerbated site conditions.
Apex Engineering provided repair plans to the commission, but the Chair said the engineer did not provide cost estimates; the commission has identified several contractors and is awaiting responses to requests for bids. The Chair said contractors have been slow to respond, in part because some jobs require work in a tight, three-foot crawl space under the building.
Commissioners said exterior work will include replacement of rotten boards, repairs to porches and windows, and work on the museum roof. The Chair said the commission will convene again after contractors provide firm estimates and to review final contracts. No formal procurement vote was recorded at the meeting.
The commission also discussed museum operations while work is underway, noting potential increased heating use during the winter months when interior work occurs and continuing efforts to finalize alarm-system and electrical work before public use resumes.
