Bourne Town Hall needs even more repairs to stop roof leaks

Now that Town Hall has been named to the U.S. Register of Historic Places, town officials generally agree that future repairs and upgrades can be legally financed via the Community Preservation Acts historic resources account.

The 1914 building next to Bournes Pond needs more roof repair atop the main part of the redbrick structure. Two years ago, the roof above the selectmens office was re-done.

The latest project will cost an estimated $15,840. This is a repair and preserve effort, Town Administrator Thomas Guerino advised the finance committee.

More work is not yet scheduled, he said, but it is needed and will be scheduled once a full report about Town Hall inadequacies is issued by Facilities Director Jonathan Nelson.

At this point, Gueirno said the building needs new gutters and downspouts, vinyl-siding repair in places, an electrical upgrade and parts replacement, repairs to the front steps and those leading to the selectmens office on the north side of the structure and an evaluation of the handicapped access ramp.

Guerino said additional more window work is also needed on the north side.

Five years ago, Town Meeting voters routinely approved a boiler-replacement request that many thought should have been recommended through the annual capital outlay requests, not the CPA. But now Town Hall has been duly listed as an historic place, and CPA requests would seem to be green-lighted in advance.

For now we have to try to keep the water out and inspect what is not thought to be extensive damage from leaks, Guerino said.

Town officials and the Canal Chamber of Commerce are intent on sprucing up Buzzards Bay properties in time for the canal centennial observances in 2014. Any Town Hall work in this regard would likely be concluded in time for those events. A full assessment of building needs, however, is due next year.

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Bourne Town Hall needs even more repairs to stop roof leaks