A rendering of the proposed renovations to the Town Hall Annex in Swansea. (Photo courtesy Town of Swansea)
SWANSEA — Town Administrator Mallory Aronstein and the Swansea Board of Selectmen wish to thank residents who attended Monday’s Special Town Meeting and supported several warrant articles, including the proposed addition/renovation project for the Town Hall Annex.
At the Oct. 28 Special Town Meeting, residents approved $15.9 million to fund the addition/renovation of the Town Hall Annex. Of the $15.9 million total project cost, the Town is expected to need to borrow $3.5 million.
The Special Town Meeting was attended by 563 residents.
The Town Hall Annex project was approved by a vote of 408-141.
The Selectmen suggested using meals tax and other revenues to repay the loan in an effort to alleviate the bond payment from being put onto the tax levy. This plan was later voted on, unanimously in support, by the Advisory and Finance Committee. This means that despite the short-term borrowing, the project will have no tax impact on residents.
In November 2023, Town Meeting rejected the proposal of a Municipal Complex. As a result of the vote, the Capital Building Committee developed an alternative proposal based on the feedback and comments made during that Town Meeting and in the discussion surrounding it. In May 2024, Special Town Meeting funded exploring a Town Hall Annex addition/renovation project that would house the departments located in the Town Hall at 81 Main St. and the departments within the Annex, currently housed in rented trailers. The renovation would include expanding the building to provide a facility combining the current departments at 81 Main St., the Annex, and the Veterans Department.
Under this direction, T2 Architecture developed a renovation program addressing the current buildings’ shortcomings and challenges.
On Monday, residents also approved, by a vote of 256-238, a purchase of a skid steer for the Highway Department up to $130,000.
All other warrant articles were passed by voice votes on Monday, including a $25,000 grant match for the Hailes Hill Road Culvert Upgrade Project; $20,000 for the Police Department to purchase and install speed control signage; and a zoning bylaw amendment for accessory dwelling units.
“We are thankful to residents who supported several key initiatives at Monday evening’s Special Town Meeting,” Town Administrator Aronstein said. “These warrant articles were necessary to keep our community running strong.”
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