NORTHFIELD — After five years of mostly internal renovations, the Northfield Town Hall will receive $40,000 worth of exterior cleaning and restoration before the end of August.
Stephen Seredynski, chairman of the Town Hall Master Planning Committee, said the repairs include new paint, mortar and having the bricks cleaned.
“The building is going to be gently cleaned to remove all of the accumulated grime and mold and mildew,” he said. “There’s a lot of wear and tear with the building being on Main Street with traffic and car fumes and things like that. It’s basically trying to catch up on deferred maintenance.”
Seredynski also said the front of the 89-year-old building has been landscaped, with new trees and shrubs planted on the property and the addition of more gardens.
The measures to preserve the outside of Town Hall are just the next steps in an overarching renovation that began five years ago, shortly after the Town Hall Master Planning Committee was formed, Seredynski said.
“We’ve gone through the building from top to bottom,” he said.
Another large project on the horizon is revamping the building’s electrical system, which is quite outdated. Some parts of the wiring date back to 1927, when the building was built. Others, Seredynski said, are from the 1950s.
“We’re waiting for the final report from the electrical contractor, then it will go out to bid,” he said. The project, estimated to cost $400,000, will be completed over the course of three years and was decided upon during the last town meeting on May 2, along with the exterior restoration.
“The voters have been really great about recognizing the need to improve (Town Hall),” he continued. “It was kind of obvious that the Town Hall was in need of work.”
Seredynski said the large sum will not cause taxes to increase.
“The electrical work is being phased in over three years because it’s such a large bill,” he said, explaining that the committee wanted to minimize the financial impact on residents.
Thus far, interior renovations have included painting and the addition of an improved heating and cooling system. Solar panels were installed on the south side of the pavilion and the Community Preservation Fund paid for new front steps. A wood pellet stove is also due to be installed before winter to increase the building’s energy efficiency.
Seredynski said that the repairs have been a big volunteer effort, with many people donating either their time or money. For example, students from Franklin County Technical School rewired the Boy Scout House, bringing it up to code, and a group of inmates painted its exterior.
“I’m thankful for all of the support from the town, especially the volunteers,” Seredynski said. “They’ve done a tremendous amount of work.”