I think we finally have a Town Hall renovation proposal that can pass muster at Town Meeting. It took a lot of time, hard work, persistence and (unfortunate but necessary) anguish to get to this point. It was worth it!
We started the process last April, when the original Municipal Buildings Committee proposed a 4,000 square foot detached addition with significant site modifications including removal of the historic old fire station. Construction cost alone (no professional fees) was estimated at $3.65 million. This proposal was overwhelmingly rejected by the Selectmen, Finance Committee and Capital Planning and Investment Committee. Securing Town Meeting approval appeared very risky. Struggle!
Recognizing a more acceptable solution was needed, Town Administrator Tim Bragan, Doug Coots, and I negotiated a revised scope for Town Hall renovation that was captured in the statement of intent. The Selectmen approved this compromise on the morning of Town Meeting, as then did both Finance Committee and Capital Committee. A real-time revision was made to the MBC’s Article 17 on the Town Meeting floor with presentation and discussion of the compromise. Those who attended remember the near-unanimous support of the revised article, and the near-unanimous rejection of a motion to reconsider the original MBC proposal. Progress!
The Municipal Building Committee was re-constituted with some new and some original members. Despite the documented compromise, not every MBC member or every Selectman was on the same page. Struggle! The Municipal Building Committee’s first formal recommendation to Selectmen on Jan. 10 was “Scheme 2,” a 1,600 square foot increment to the existing building size at an estimated construction cost of $2.8 million. While a significant improvement over the original MBC proposal (Progress!), three Selectmen and two MBC members did not support Scheme 2, and wanted to explore the feasibility of a smaller addition. Struggle!
Last week, the Municipal Building Committee presented an updated proposal that seems to hit the mark: minimized building growth (900 square feet) for accessibility; a flexible second floor configuration to meet both meeting needs and desire for a large community space; and another $300,000 off the price tag. Most importantly, this proposal captured for the first time a true consensus of the new Municipal Building Committee. Progress!
In my experience, the best problem-solvers value diversity of perspective, and embrace the give-and-take of ideas. They strongly argue as individuals for what they believe, but carefully listen to what others believe. They don’t bemoan differences of opinion as obstructionism, but instead understand that constructive tension will get the best ideas out. But most importantly, they focus on the issues, not on each other, and maintain a civil, non-inflammatory, discourse.
The best achievements happen when you struggle. We have collectively done so on Town Hall, and I think we now have a winner. Nice job, everyone!
Bill Johnson
Warren Avenue
Editor’s note: Bill Johnson is a member of the Board of Selectmen
