To the editor:
On March 12, Danville voters are urged to vote “Yes” on Warrant Article 15.
Our Town Hall needs structural repairs to shore up the foundation and provide needed support for the first floor. A structural engineering study done in 2012 estimated the cost to be about $77,000. This year the voters are being asked to create a revolving fund of $25,000 that will be earmarked to deal with these repairs at some future time.
The Town Hall, with its Gothic Victorian architecture has remained the focal point of the heart of Danville since it was built in 1886. It is an important historic building in our town. It was recognized as the primary center of economic, business and social activity for the town for the first half of the 20th century, and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in Washington in 2000.
Through the efforts of the Heritage Commission, in 2003 the town was awarded a $2,500 matching grant from the Land and Community Heritage Investment Program (LCHIP) to do a feasibility study of the options and costs necessary to bring the second floor of the building into code and back into community service. Restoration architects Tennant/Wallace performed the study.
In 2007, again through the efforts of the Heritage Commission, the town was awarded a $10,000 grant from the “Moose Plate” program to install heat and air conditioning and bring the electrical systems on the second floor into compliance.
The town has maintained the building properly over the years, and this is a continuation of that effort. Because of its historical status, it may be eligible for grant monies, but most require a matching amount from the town.
Good maintenance of our existing town hall should provide us with continued use of one of our historic landmarks and help us avoid a potential future cost of a new building. Passage of this warrant article will start a savings fund for the money needed for the repairs and give us a leg up to apply for available grants that require a match
Vote “Yes” on Article 15. Everybody wins.
William W. Gard
Danville
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