Every year, usually around St. Patrick’s Day, I’m reminded of my Uncle Mike. He was an amazing storyteller, the embodiment of the gift of Blarney—and was fond of saying, “One shouldn’t let the facts get in the way of a good story.”
This year, I had cause to think of Uncle Mike earlier than usual while reading Bill Marinelli’s letter to the editor in last week’s Press.
The ‘cost data on alternative Town Hall designs’ Bill mentions as being available at the ZBA hearing were for significantly larger building additions, which would have increased both the non-conformity and the cost of the project.
Cost data for the strange pod-like appendage was not defined, as the Board of Selectmen when choosing the recommended scheme unanimously agreed (!) last year that this alternative should not be pursued. The second floor build-out Bill recommends was discussed in a public forum at Volunteers Hall in January 2012, and was rejected by committee members Lou Russo and Wade Holtzman, as build-out for offices would incur significantly more cost.
I hear clearly his desire to maintain the original footprint, and also acknowledge that renovation to the existing addition (the strangely-shaped partial octagon) would likewise require a variance and be more costly than demolition and reconstruction due to the addition’s foundation. As I stated at the ZBA hearing, conforming to the footprint and complying with ADA requirements (stairway widths, elevator, etc.) would have resulted in a renovated building with fewer available square feet than we currently have. The schematic design approved at last year’s Annual Town Meeting adds 900 square feet to Town Hall—slightly smaller than Bill’s unfinished basement.
I respect Bill’s service to the School Building Committee and the Police Station Building Committee. However, I am uncertain why he would omit mention of his role on the Library Building Committee, a gem in our community.
Could it be because he’s forgotten that this Committee applied for (and secured) two variances—which were submitted only two weeks before bids for construction went out?
Marie Sobalvarro, Selectwoman
Saint John Lane
