COLRAIN — Almost six years ago Tropical Storm Irene flooded the town’s highway garage. But with a $1.1 million Community Development Block Grant for “disaster recovery” in hand, the town is ready to ask voters for spending authority for a major highway garage building renovation.
At a special town meeting on Feb. 27, at 7 p.m., residents will be asked to approve the following money transfers: $420,000 from the town’s Stabilization Fund and $60,000 from the town’s undesignated “free cash” reserves.
That money will be used, along with the $1.1 million federal grant and $420,000 from the town’s Chapter 90 road money, to tear down part of the Jacksonville Road highway garage and replace it with a new 2,500 square-foot addition.
The oldest, front portion of the building, formerly used as the old town office, will be replaced by an addition that will house a vehicle-washing bay, administrative offices and a storage mezzanine. The flood-damaged area will be repaired and the basement will be made flood-proof, according to Town Coordinator Kevin Fox. The rest of the building will be repaired and upgraded.
“The town is not asking for any borrowing approval, and this will have no effect on the tax rate” Fox pointed out.
Bids on the project are due in the Town Office by Tuesday.