Town Approves $65K for Renovations to Daniel Webster Law Office ####
Key Points
- Funds essential roof and siding repairs for the historic landmark
- Uses CPA historic reserves rather than general tax revenue
- Advisory Board warns that failure to repair would lead to interior damage
Article 10 was passed by a majority vote, authorizing $65,550 from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) historic reserves for exterior renovations to the Daniel Webster Law Office and Museum. Dennis Keller, Chair of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), stated that the funds would cover critical repairs to the siding and the roof, which is described as being well past its useful life.
Some residents questioned the cost of the project for a single building, with one resident calling the $65,000 price tag outrageous.
However, the Advisory Board emphasized the town’s duty of "custodial care" for historic assets, noting that leaks would soon damage the interior if the roof were not replaced. The project will be subject to prevailing wage laws and will go out to bid following the appropriation.
Motion: The historical commission and the community preservation committee move that the town vote... to appropriate the sum of $65,550 for the exterior renovations to the Daniel Webster Law Office and Museum.
Vote: Passed by Majority