PHILLIPSTON — The Board of Selectman have accepted a state historic preservation agreement for Town Hall in exchange for a grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Projects Fund to repair the building’s roof.
According to chief administrative officer Kevin Flynn, the roof was in need of repairs due to pieces being broken or damaged over time. The town used the $50,000 grant from the preservation fund to complete the repairs, said Flynn.
“That was the original roof. The building was built in 1891. Some pieces broke and fell off so there was some leakage into the building. In a couple places you could see daylight through the boards in the roof,” he said.
The state historic preservation agreement requires the town to only complete renovations to the building that fit in historically. Flynn said the building needs to maintain its architectural and historic features.
“This is the historic center of the town. We have the Congregational Church here, the buildings all around the common are older buildings dating back to the 1700s — we want to keep that appearance and protect that,” he said.
To complete any changes, said Flynn, such as adding an addition to the building, the town would have to consult the Massachusetts Historical Commission for approval.
Other projects the town is hoping to complete to the Town Hall include a new paint job and installing an elevator for individuals to access the auditorium from the ground level, said Flynn. But he said Phillipston has yet to put out any bids for the painting and will have to identify a funding source locally to complete the project.
“We would have to scrape and prepare the building before we paint it. If there are any loose or damaged boards, they would need to be replaced,” said Flynn.