New municipal building discussed in Bridgewater
By Tomi Henderson
Special to The Star-Herald
BRIDGEWATER — On Monday, June 13, there was an informational meeting held at the Community Center at 6:30 p.m., with a special town meeting following.
Diane Clough did a presentation on what was happening regarding the proposed new fire station/community center.
The group had submitted a grant application to the CDBG for the project (Phase 1), toured the Limestone and Mars Hill fire stations, worked on a possible payout and interviewed several engineering firms (Phase 2).
They have learned that the town of Bridgewater was awarded a grant for $350,000, if all the paperwork is submitted properly and the project is approved by the town. The estimated total cost for the building at this point is around $864,000. With the grant, the town’s share would be around $514,000. If borrowed for 20 years at 6 percent interest, the mil rate would go up around 1.38 mils.
The group now needs to have an environmental study done at a cost of around $2,500. Once this is finished, the engineering firm they choose can do up a plan for approval, and then get bids on the construction phase of the project.
At that point, there will be another town meeting so the townspeople will have firm figures on the total cost of the project so they can decide whether to go ahead or not.
The town meeting, led by moderator John Barker, decided:
• To approve the funds needed for the environmental review at a cost not to exceed $2,500;
• To hire an engineering firm to design the building, prepare the plans and documents, execute the plans and documents, and perform construction management, inspections and oversight of the proposed new building at a cost not to exceed $55,000; and
• To approve the grant application for the Public Facilities Grant in the amount of $350,000.
There is a balance of $57,564 in the Tax-Acquired Property Fund, which will be used for the first two items voted on.
The new building will be used as a fire station and community center. The building will be around 72 feet by 100 feet and will also include a meeting room, kitchen, bathrooms and storage. Once a plan is decided upon, it will be submitted for bids. Although there are a number of things to consider when deciding on the building, the number 1 priority for the final design and materials used will be energy efficiency.
The proposed timeline is to hire an engineer by early July and have a design plan done by September. There would be a special town meeting in early October to vote on the project. If approved, they hope to have the building shelled up by November, so it can be finished through the winter. It should take around six months to build.
