Rarely does a town have an opportunity to make significant improvements to its landmark buildings. Those who came before us made decisions that gave the town the character that we all appreciate today. We now have one of those rare opportunities to re-adapt three historic town-owned buildings: The old library, Town Hall and Hildreth House. These three buildings have served us well but are in need of rehabilitation and modification to meet our needs both now and into the future.
This Saturday, Nov. 13, the Municipal Buildings Committee will hold another workshop at the old library to present and discuss alternative schemes for each of the three buildings and their proposed uses. The workshop, from 9 a.m. to noon, needs input from you to determine which schemes should be further evaluated.
It should be obvious to anyone who visits or just drives by any of these buildings that they are in varying degrees of need. Cosmetic issues, energy efficiency, accessibility, security, and structural issues are among the challenges that have to be addressed. In addition, pedestrian movement, traffic flow, and parking in the town center are ancillary issues that will be impacted by these schemes.
Alternatives to be presented at the workshop include addressing space needs of Town Hall to better accommodate all town government (staff and volunteer committees), exploring needed improvements to Hildreth House to provide an adequate and safe center for our seniors, and discussing the possibilities of designing the old library for new uses, including a community center for the town. You can help us focus on which alternatives we carry forward.
If you are interested in the future of the old library, Town Hall and Hildreth House, now is the time to speak up. Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to noon. We hope you will join us.
PETE JACKSON, LUCY WALLACE, and WILLIE WICKMAN
Municipal Buildings
Committee
![AYER — During a recent two-day symposium at Town Hall that included a bus tour of Ayer-owned land in Devens, Community and Economic Director Alan Manoian set the stage with a vivid description of the town’s historic ties to the former military base. “The arrival of Camp Devens in 1917 didn’t create the town of […]](https://www.nashobavalleyvoice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/SEN-L-DEVENS-0324-02.jpg?w=467 "AYER — During a recent two-day symposium at Town Hall that included a bus tour of Ayer-owned land in Devens, Community and Economic Director Alan Manoian set the stage with a vivid description of the town’s historic ties to the former military base. “The arrival of Camp Devens in 1917 didn’t create the town of […]")
