TURNERS FALLS — A new Department of Public Works building could cost Montague taxpayers $11.5 million if a recent proposal continues as planned.
The plans were introduced by the Public Works Facility Planning Committee and are the product of two studies the town commissioned about the feasibility of a new public works building over the course of 2015 and 2016. Previous town meetings authorized the funding for the feasibility studies.
The $11.5 million price tag is more than town officials initially expected, but according to those at Tuesday night’s meeting — where the plans were unveiled — the needs of the department required more than they expected.
“The committee feels that this is the facility needed at this time,” Town Planner Walter Ramsey said.
Ramsey said the town had looked into grant funding, but none is available for a project like this. The town would have to vote to authorize the funding for this at the town meeting in May.
Town officials are in clear consensus about the need for a new building. The current building at 500 Avenue A in Turners Falls was built in 1948 and has several major issues that have been the catalyst for the project.
According to documents on the town website, the building is 68 years old and has never been renovated. It has no sprinkler system, is not ADA accessible, does not meet current plumbing or mechanical codes and it lacks enough space for equipment storage.
Additionally, the employee lockers are in a hallway, and employee facilities are undersized. Some of the equipment is stored outside because there is not storage space inside, creating additional wear on the equipment.
The new building, if approved by the town, would be off Sandy Lane, behind the Judd Wire complex. It would be about 27,000 square feet and have a pre-engineered metal frame.
According to Ramsey, Weston and Sampson Engineers estimates that the facility would cost $11.5 million including soft costs like design, permitting and engineering.
The town is working with Weston and Sampson on the building, because the firm has experience building similar DPW buildings. Planning Board members said the original cost estimate came in at about $16 million, and the current estimate includes reductions in administrative areas and indoor storage.
According to Building Inspector David Jensen, the review board is trying to find a reasonable price tag, but also want to produce a building that meets the needs of the department and town so there isn’t another request for funding or an addition down the road.
“The dilemma was, should we be the ones picking the price, or should we be the ones figuring out what the town needs?” he said.
Town Administrator Steve Ellis said this building is needed but would put other projects for the town on hold, and has to be balanced against other needs.
Ellis estimated that with a level-debt approach, an $11 million building would cost an average residential taxpayer (using $200,000 as the average) about $170 annually, spread out equally over 25 years.
The committee said the building would have at least a 50-year life span, and possibly longer. Ellis said the bigger issue is making sure the public understands the why they are asking for the amount they are.
“I’m not going to discourage the committee from moving forward with the proposal they think is best for the community,” Ellis said.
According to Ramsey, the committee will bring the project to the May Town Meeting. Before that, there will be a presentation at the Special Town Meeting on March 2.
Reach Miranda Davis at
413-772-0261, ext. 280
or mdavis@recorder.com.