Cost Estimate Higher Than Expected for Old Firehouse Fixes

The town talked about ways to fix the Community Development Department building on Monday, which currently has weatherization issues due to dated garage doors.

According to Assistant Town Manager Dana Call, the rough cost to replace the doors is much higher than originally anticipated.

Following an energy audit that was conducted for Windham, the estimated replacement cost was $5,800.

Call said that the town received a variety of different dollar figures from three vendors after a quote process.

"Price estimates were kind of all over the place," she said, saying that the only option to maintain the historic integrity of the doors was a cost of about $14,000.

She said that the town is essentially starting over on the process.

The building previously served as the firehouse for the town, but Town Administrator Dave Sullivan said that the door replacements will hinge on the use for the facility going forward.

"We need to look not for today's world, but for 10 years from now," he said.

Call said that clear gaps on the side of the doors, issues with the clearance, track issues and duct tape across a couple of the window panes are some of the issues draining the energy efficiency of the building.

Selectman Phil LoChiatto questioned whether the town really needs to have four operating overhead doors.

Sullivan said that the town could probably get by with two. He added that three of the doors are currently operational.

He added that false walls could be put up behind the doors on the inside to insulate the building as a temporary fix.

The garage doors date back to 1960.

LoChiatto suggested board conversations with both the building inspector and fire chief in the future.