by Lyssa Papazian
Last July, the Putney Historical Society signed a 25-year lease with the town for use of the upstairs of the historic 1871 town hall (now unused due to inaccessibility and no heat, etc.). We are partnering with the town on developing and funding (raising funding) for a joint rehabilitation project. There will be some public use of the upstairs for meetings (a larger meeting space than they have downstairs) as well as our programing and display/research facility. The town offices (on the first floor) also need upgrading and more efficient and accessible layout. In the past year we have been able to update a 2005 feasibility study and cost estimate. Greenberg Associates of Putney, the successor to Bannister & Greenberg who did the 2005 study, was able to work with us and the town to revise and update the drawings and proposed plans and send them to a professional cost estimator. In addition, we are working with Greenberg Associates to update a 2002 building conditions assessment. The new plans include an elevator or lift, energy upgrades, HVAC for both floors, ADA accessible bathrooms on each floor and better use of the space for the various offices while preserving the architectural integrity of the historic building.
This planning work has been supported by two grants. We received a Community Facilities Technical Assistance Grant through the Brattleboro Development Credit Corporation in January 2023 for $5000. This program, made possible by the USDA, helps local projects reach completion. We also received a $750 Sincerbeaux matching grant from the Preservation Trust of Vermont for the building assessment. The balance of the work, totaling $7000, is provided by the town and PHS.
We are working with the town to analyze the cost estimate and explore more alternatives for the HVAC system. The town has secured state funding for an energy audit of the building. The project with rough costs likely to total more than $1.5 million, may need to be phased. We are partnering with the town on grant applications and looking at ways to fund the project, which when done will help enhance the vitality of the center of the village.