NEW TOWN OFFICE BUILDING: CHASE’S TAVERN OPTION / STATUS AS OF January 28, 2002

 

By James Romer

 

                                                                                                                                                         The Town has received very encouraging information from LCHIP (New Hampshire’s Land and Community Heritage Investment Program), to which the Selectmen have applied for a matching grant to help restore Chase’s Tavern. Both the committee, which reviewed the historical information we submitted and the panel, which reviewed our project proposal were favorably impressed. On January 18th an LCHIP “resource specialist” came to town to inspect the Tavern, talk with us, and take photographs. By early March, before Town Meeting, we will know how much money will be available from LCHIP.

                                                                                                                                                         James Kahn, our historic preservation consultant, is hard at work drawing up detailed plans for the proposed restoration/renovation, which will also involve the construction of both a modest wing to replace the present flimsy ell and a police department garage. He and Jim Romer have consulted with the Town clerk, Selectmen’s Secretary, Police Chief, Librarian, Library Trustees, and Historical Society board to get their input on the design and allocation of space.

                                                                                                                                                         The design as it now stands is quite affordable but nevertheless gives the Town offices and library much more space than they have now and also provides a room for the Historical Society and two meeting rooms. There is a Selectmen’s meeting room downstairs in what was originally the tap room of the Tavern and a room for the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, etc. upstairs, across the hall from the Historical Society.

                                                                                                                                                         The Town Clerk, Selectmen’s Secretary, and Police office would be on the ground floor of the Tavern proper. The Library would be upstairs in the long “ball room” or “meeting room” across the back of the building, with access by way of a staircase and elevator in the newly constructed wing. Parking would be behind the building (thus not obstructing the view of the Tavern from the Common and Town Hall) and the main entrance would be at the rear (or at the west end of the wing, for the Library or for persons in wheelchairs).

                                                                                                                                                         Later in February the plans and drawings will be available for inspection and they will be displayed at the public meeting, which we hope will be held on Tuesday, March 5th  (7 PM at the Unity Town Hall).

                                                                                                                                                         In early March the Selectmen will learn how much money will be available from LCHIP and then on March 16th the voters will decide at Town Meeting whether we should move ahead with the project. If they do, construction should start soon after the spring thaw.