Reusing the existing parcel.
A new vision on the existing town hall site
The new town hall would be located on the existing town hall and craft shop (former rescue building). The new design reduces asphalt by 40% while maintaining 20 parking spaces by reducing redundant drive lanes. This allows us to restore street trees along route 2 and return much of the parcel to grass and plantings.
The Raw Data
Below are reports that were prepared by the town regarding the existing buildings
Building Inspection Report
Inspection Technologies building condition survey from June 2023
Mold Test
Report
MoldView report of the existing town hall building from June 2023.
Structural Inspection
Engineering Ventures report on the structural deficiencies of the existing town hall.
Hazardous MAterials Survey
Lead and Asbestos testing reports for both the town hall and craft shop buildings.
Blending in with the community
We wanted the town hall to blend in with the neighboring buildings. The proposed design was chosen to fit with the scale and materials found along Route 2. The building form utilizes steep pitched roofs and similar front-yard set backs to make it feel part of the streetscape.
Hear for yourself
Here’s what your selectboard says:
Vermonters are a frugal bunch. We use it up, and wear it out before we throw it out. The South Hero town hall built in the 1920’s has done great service to South Hero as a school gym, a theater, then as a town hall, meeting space and a polling place. But after almost 100 years the structure has reached a point where repairs and remediation are no longer easy nor affordable.
It is more economical to build a new town hall for the next 100 years than patch up the old. A 30 year bond would cost the average $500,000 assessed home $65 per year- less than a dinner out for two.
The time has come to be frugal and invest in the next 100 years of South Hero.
David Carter
Selectboard, Chair
Proposed Design
It’s time to replace our Town Hall
Structural Deficiencies
The building’s masonry has many cracks that are continuing to grow in size as water penetrates the block and freezes and thaws.
The structural report recommends reinforcing to the roof, exterior walls, and first and second floor framing.
Environmental Hazards
Moisture has found its way into the walls, attic, and crawlspaces which has led to mold.
In order to stop the mold, the moisture must be mitigated first which would require extensive renovations to the entire building envelope.
Function
The space does not meet the current or future needs of the Town Hall. We will soon run out of Vault space for land records; There is inadequate space for the current employees, and leaves no room for growth over the next 50 to 100 years.
Code Compliance
The current town hall does not meet today’s accessibility, life-safety, fire code, plumbing or electrical codes. These non-conforming issues open the town to legal liability.
Cracking Exterior Wall Masonry
Mud Floor of Crawlspace with Standing Water
Crumbling Window Lintel
Sagging Homosote board with black mold
Vote Yes! on Article 10
Article 10: Shall general obligation bonds or notes in an amount not to exceed Two Million Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($2,875,000), subject to reduction by the application of federal and sate grants-in-aid and reserve funds, be issued for the purpose of constructing a new town hall, the estimated cost of such improvements being Two Million Eight Hundred and Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars ($2,875,000)?
What does that mean for me?
See Examples below Depending on the length of the bond the Selectboard Chooses:
30 year bond cost per $100k assessed value $37.94/Year
25 year bond cost per $100k assessed value $40.95/Year
20 year bond cost per $100k assessed value $45.40/Year
See Full Bond information on our
Funding Page