We are about to complete another phase in the long process of preparing Town Hall, Hildreth House and the old library for 50 more years of service to Harvard residents. The latest phase was 500 days long and was conducted by the Municipal Buildings Committee. The first 400 days were devoted to analysis. They were characterized by broad civic engagement and cooperation. The resulting recommendations were tendered 100 days in advance of Town Meeting, with the express purpose of fostering community discussion. That they have. The focus has been on financial considerations—as is appropriate—and our initial implementation strategy has been modified to reflect them.
The MBC requests that Town Meeting approve Article 17 and authorize $225,000 for schematic design studies of Town Hall and Hildreth House. This is a “pencil-sharpening” exercise—standard operating procedure. It does not bind taxpayers; future Town Meetings will make the final choice of scope, schedule, and funding.
• Town Hall: The building requires complete renovation; the BOS and CPIC agree. Article 17 will fund the schematic design and pricing effort.
• Hildreth House: The results of 400 days of analysis and surveys were unequivocal: Hildreth House is the best place to realize a fully integrated center for senior life in Harvard. We recommend that 60+Club and Council on Aging’s 30-year tenancy be made permanent. Article 17 will fund the schematic design and pricing of the necessary code compliance and deferred maintenance of Hildreth House.
Article 17 will also provide next year’s Town Meeting with a detailed cost-benefit comparison between renovating Town Hall within its footprint and expanding it as necessary to accommodate all volunteer government and preserve the option of using the upper Town Hall for more than just selectmen meetings. It will also provide schematic design and pricing of an addition to Hildreth House to meet COA program needs.
The MBC asks residents to vote for Article 17; it is the next step in an open and deliberative process.
Regarding the old library: Surveys and actual testing—the Pilot Project—clearly demonstrate that the old library can be a vital instrument of community life. As proof of that conviction, private money will be raised to fund a strategic business plan for the creation of a nonprofit to operate and maintain it. The MBC asks the Board of Selectmen to continue their support of this effort.
Ron Ostberg
On behalf of the Municipal Buildings Committee
