Construction in the Marion Town House began on Monday, September 1 with the Town House functions being moved to the Town House Annex on the other side of Route 6 at 14 Barnabas Road. All functions, including the drop-box for payments have henceforth moved.
Renovations have so far just included a teardown. Ceiling tiles are down, wiring is exposed, walls are marked with sticky notes with messages like “new window here?” on them, and flowing has been covered up with cardboard to prevent damage.
Work was approved at this year’s Town Meeting when Article 17 was passed with roughly a two-thirds vote in favor. The passed article calls for renovations that would make the site ADA and building-code compliant, while also generally making it more accessible. Also being installed in the roughly 150-year-old building is a new and more capable fire suppression system. Finally, HVAC will be added to the building, following heavy debate. Supporters say it will make the building easier on staff and visitors in increasingly hotter summers. Upon speaking with a worker in the building today, he exclaimed, “man, it’s hot in here.”
The Marion Finance Committee had voted not to support Article 17 prior to Town Meeting, with Chair Shay Assad recommending work should be split into multiple different articles to allow the Marion people to vote on each individually.
Construction totals have incrementally risen since the renovations were first proposed, with current and approved costs being over $4,000,000. Work is set to continue throughout the winter and conclude sometime next summer.
Marion Town House Construction
By Sam Bishop