The past month has seen great progress and that progress is visible at the 1835 Town Hall. Work is being performed inside and outside simultaneously. The roof surface is being stripped and sheathed and the structural improvements are being added to the interior. The main timbers between the original section and the addition sections have been cut and the LVL sandwich has been inserted between providing support to the entire roof.
Temporary vertical support has been added:
The first LVL Beam sandwiches have been added.
We have an elevator shaft, looking head on at second floor :
Looking down the shaft
We have some clarity on our budget. We applied $48,444 in credits to the existing contract so that we could add $47,643 of additional structural support to the roof. This strengthens the connection between the original Town Hall and the Addition of 1893. A portion of the work credited will not be added back because it will not be necessary. For example $12,800 for steel reinforcement of timber frames (#3 and #4) and $2,000 for the basement slab.
Barring further unforeseen expenses, this results in a net cost increase to our project of about $33,600 or about 8.4%.
That brings us to the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Grant of $100,000. Joe Booth and the 1835 Town Hall Committee will be working over the next few weeks to detail the plan and budget for the next phase of improvements to the 1835 Town Hall based on availability of funds. Items which will be included are, in order of priority:
- Brought forward from existing contract
- Drywall Ceiling
- Painting
- Collar tie trim and painting
- Eave work for ventilation
- Electrical and basic lighting
- Limited ceiling removal and rafter repair at addition roof framing
- Architect / Project Designer
- Finished wood work and trim
- Stage access enhancements
- Additional lighting
- Acoustic baffling
- Sound and audio visual
- Seating
We need to formalize this plan and budget over the next 3 to 4 weeks as the 2019 round of Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Funding has been approved and we are in the process of evaluating our need for further funding for the Town Hall. We will need to voice our intent by November 16th if we will be seeking additional funds.
For questions and further information, email: info@1835sterlingtownhall.org