York Town News
Town Hall: No question about the need
By Jennifer L. Saunders
An artists rendering shows how the proposed new Town Hall would be situated as seen by drivers and pedestrians along Long Sands Road.
Photo courtesy of the town of York
YORK VILLAGE - When it comes to a proposal for a new Town Hall, members of the Municipal Building Committee and local residents seem to agree there is no question about the need for the new facility.
The Board of Selectmen hosted a public hearing Monday night, April 2, on the proposed $6.5 million project to locate a new municipal center on a parcel of land purchased adjacent to Coventry Hall and the former Ice House last year for just such a use.
The plan includes the consolidation of all the current Town Hall departments as well as the Parks and Recreation Department and General Assistance Office into a new, up-to-code, ADA-compliant building.
And, as Selectmen Chairman David Marshall and fellow Municipal Building Committee member Sue Little explained, the preliminary design being presented to the voters in May is the result of efforts to reflect the historic character of York Village while meeting the modern operational needs of the town.
"Over time, the current Town Hall has been revamped and revamped to try to make more space out of it," Marshall explained, resulting in a cramped and crowded facility with many of the town's offices located in satellite locations, such as the Grant House or behind the York Police Department.
Voters approved the purchase of the approximately six acres of land adjacent to the First Parish Church property in York Village at the polls last year for a new municipal complex.
That move, along with the vote to authorize the town's use of $95,000 for study and design of a municipal facility on that site, reflect the long-standing provision in the Comprehensive Plan to keep Town Hall in the village.
As Marshall said at the start of Monday's public hearing, "It's very important to maintain the character and the central nature of our village" with Town Hall, the York Public Library and the York Village Post Office all located within walking distance of each other.
The design of the building, Little said, is aimed at reflecting the character of this New England village as well, augmented by plans to minimize development and paving on the site, and to keep a buffer of vegetation for neighboring properties.
"We didn't want a brick square box," she said of the design, noting the use of columns, windows for natural light, a two-tier structure to maximize space while minimizing impact, environmentally-friendly materials and a pitched roof.
Fred Muehl, who serves with Little, Marshall and Selectman Mike Estes on the committee, agreed.
"We will have, if this thing comes to pass, a good focal point for the town of York to conduct its business," he said, adding the proposed Town Hall is not a "Taj Mahal" but will provide the space for town administration and offices as well as a public meeting area for community functions.
Currently, he explained, outside of the York Public Library, there are few community spaces available for such uses as scouting events, service organizations or public breakfasts on a regular basis.
Several residents spoke during the public hearing, sharing a range of views. While the consensus expressed by all who spoke was that a new Town Hall is a need that cannot be denied, different perspectives were voiced on the project itself.
Kinley Gregg and Cliff Estes commented on the preliminary architectural design by SMRT.
"This will still go through a very rigorous building committee workout before it goes through a very rigorous Planning Board workout," said Selectmen Vice Chairman Dwight Bardwell of the specific design, noting that all the details are subject to further public hearings and discussion before a final plan is approved if voters support the project at the polls.
Doug Truman said he is concerned about the cost.
"The only thing I haven't heard mentioned is the $6.5 million that it's going to cost for this project. I have heard around town that it isn't going to fly … not for that amount of money," he said, referencing the 2002 budget vote when many funding requests failed at the polls. "… You know, Dave, I voted for that land. I agree with you. We do need a new Town Hall … but not for $6.5 million."
David Ballou had a different perspective..
"Building costs are sky high right now. This appears to be a very well thought-out building. It's a building we can all be proud of," he said, referencing a design based on York's needs and other comparable facilities. "… If not now, when? We've been calling for a new town hall for years."
Ted Little agreed.
"I think you've done a tremendous job in following through with what the voters of the town have asked you to do," he said, pointing to the fact that the proposed Town Hall footprint is 9,500 square feet, smaller by one-third than the library's 13,000 square feet, and the building will provide the space for the General Assistance Office, Recreation Department, Town Hall, much-needed storage and community functions.
He also praised the use of environmentally-friendly materials and practices in the design.
"It will be a facility that looks great, is user-friendly and will be a centerpiece for the community for our lifetime" and for the future, he said, adding, "I felt the Budget Committee erred" in not supporting the project with a majority preference vote.
Mike Ehrenborg thanked the committee for the work it has undertaken to come up with a proposal within one year of the approval of the purchase.
Selectman Len Dorrian praised the work of the committee and SMRT to come up with a rational model for a Town Hall facility, including standard criteria for reasonable work spaces for government employees.
Based on that, he said, "That's how big it should be, and that's how much it's going to cost."
Code Enforcement Officer Tim DeCoteau pointed to the shortcomings in the existing Town Hall - without a sprinkler system, an appropriate safe to protect sensitive documents, adequate fire escapes, offices and more.
"It is unsafe," he said. "You need to treat your employees well. You need to protect your resources well. The time is now."
Police Chief Doug Bracy agreed.
"I can show you time and time again, because I've lived here. … Central Maine (a facility on Route 1) we could have bought for $900,000. Now it's $5.5 million. … We keep missing the opportunities time and time and time again," he said, adding that, fortunately, an appropriate piece of land has been secured for a new Town Hall, and that the only thing holding up plans for a new public safety building is the lack of town-owned land that could work for such a facility. "Every day and every year we wait, the cost goes up."
The last town project was the Village Fire Station in the 1970s, he said.
"We've made do with 1903 schoolhouses that we've cut up into little tiny offices," he said, adding the need is there and the time is now to move forward with the Town Hall plan.
