Committee Mtgs Town Hall Committee

Town Hall Committee 10-21-15 meeting RCL notes

1.  Chairman Goldman summarized his “take aways” from the survey.  Citizens:
a.  Value the current building
b.  Value the current site
c.  Are very cost conscious
d.  Do not see a need for the Great Hall
e.  Do not view voting at the Elementary School as an issue
f.  Implicitly view $2 to $2.5 million as an upper cost limit

2.  Tearing the existing Town Hall down appears to be off the table as a result of the survey results.  However, there was support  for leaving it unoccupied.

3.  There was a difference of opinion as to use of the Public Safety Building (“RPSB”) for Town offices.  The Fire and Police Chiefs appear not to be as opposed as in the past.  Whether expansion of this building would constitute “new space,” which appeared to be rejected by survey participants, was debated, as was the cost and feasibility.  Victor Azzi, sitting in the audience, was asked several questions about the details of the RPSB by several THC members relating to whether the RPSB could accommodate changes to suit the needs for Rye Town Offices.  Mr. Azzi described how the building was purposefully designed and built with additional structure, space and cost in anticipation of, and preparation for, future additional uses, and how easy and cost-effective it would be, today, to solve the needs for additional space for Town Offices.

4.  Recreation and Sewer appear to be very happy with their new quarters outside of Town Hall.

5.  Next steps:
a.  One or two architects will be contacted to do further study.
b.  Estimates for three conceptual designs are needed:
i.  Renovation of the existing Town Hall
ii.  Build out of the the space above the apparatus bay at the Public Safety Building for Town administrative use.
iii.  Conversion of the second floor of the administrative area of the Public Safety Building for Town administrative use (which assumes that the firefighters are moved above the apparatus bay).
c.  Next meeting:  Wed. Nov. 4, 6:30 p.m. at Junior High Cafeteria