Historic Building Fixes Remain on Track

A plan to fix several items at Searles School and Chapel is on track after Selectmen took a final look at the building's Capital Improvement Plan request before the deliberative session.

Earlier this year board members were given a tour of the facility, where they were shown several deteriorated sections of the building by the Searles Historic Committee.

The goal, according to committee member Peter Griffin, is to make the building more marketable for future events.

Griffin called a wedding hosted at the building last summer "hugely successful," and another is planned for 2013.

Parts of the building that need work include the wood in the back, which is currently rotting.

There is also some dry rot in the bell chamber that needs to be addressed, as well as window replacements for the building's east room.

Septic fixes will also take place, as well as major work on the basement downstairs, which could also be used for a concert series.

Landscaping will also take place outside along with work on the parking lot, where granite pavers will identify individual parking spots.

All of the improvements will cost about $101,000, which will be paid over 10 years starting in 2014.

Griffin said that he sees all improvements completed over the next year.

A gift of $5,000 is also coming in to fund the projects.