More money needed

By Carla Charter

Journal Correspondent

When bids were opened for the new town hall construction, all of them were more than the estimated $4.7 million budgeted for the project.

“We’re very disappointed in the situation,” said Denise MacAloney, town clerk and town hall building committee member.

We can’t sign a contract because we don’t have enough money. We can’t even sit down with anybody, which is disappointing ... If we start the project we want to be sure we have enough money to finish the project and it is done right. If we make a presentation to the town that this is what we need we want to be sure we’re not coming back in future years for expansion.

The bid process takes time and the prices go up.”

The town hall building committee is currently weighing two options to solve the bidding dilemma. The first option will be for the committee to meet with the architect to see whether the project can be revised to fit within the current budget.

The other possibility on the table is to allow the project to move forward is increasing funding for the project. The monies needed would have to be raised and appropriated on town meeting floor. At the request of the town hall building committee, selectmen have set a date of Aug. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Westminster Elementary School for a special town meeting. If savings can be found when the architect and building committee reviews the plans however, this meeting may not be needed.

Prior to selectmen setting the date, Selectmen Thomas O’Toole said of the needed money, “I doubt it will be raised and appropriated. I hope the architect can find savings by reviewing the project.”