The Select Board has approved several maintenance and improvement projects for town buildings and infrastructure in recent months — some of which have reached completion.
The projects are funded through a combination of sources, including Town Meeting appropriations, capital improvement budgets and federal COVID-19 relief dollars.
However, many of the projects are funded by the $24.3 million debt-exclusion override voters passed in 2022. About half of that override — $12.5 million — is going toward repairing deteriorating roads and crumbling sidewalks. The town also allocated $9 million to replace aging roofs on several schools and municipal buildings that have begun leaking.
“Most of this reflects the support of the Town Meeting to fund these projects, ensuring our buildings remain in good condition for future generations in Marblehead,” Town Administrator Thatcher Kezer told the Select Board.
Earlier this summer, the Select Board amended a contract with CES LLC for a new fuel tank and accessories project for $805,825 at Tower Way. The Old Town House — known as the Marblehead’s “Cradle of Liberty” at 1 Market Square — is also slated for exterior painting by John Skouras & Co. for $29,500.
In early September, the Select Board awarded Foster Architects a $24,200 contract to restore deteriorating windows at the Franklin Street fire station using the Fire Department’s capital budget. Fire Chief Jason Gilliland said the project would “help protect and maintain the exterior of the building” as part of ongoing renovations planned for the firehouse. The contract with Foster Architects includes replacing broken window sashes and sills.
The Fire Department also used capital improvement funds for a major restoration of Engine 3 after routine testing showed the truck’s frame was critically rusted.
“Engine 3, two or three years ago, failed a safety inspection due to the frame rusting out,” Gilliland said. “We assessed the pump, motor and truck body, all of which were in good shape.”
Instead of spending over $1 million on a new truck, Engine 3 was stripped to the frame and rebuilt with new components.
“It cost $127,000 for the frame, and some additional items identified during the refurbishment,” Gilliland said. “In the interim, we acquired another pumper from Allegiance Truck, which responded to 3,600 calls without any issues, so we’re keeping that pumper as well.”
Additionally, $10,000 is earmarked for the restoration of Old Burial Hill markers by Village Green Restoration. Grace Oliver’s railing will undergo repairs by Kneeland Construction Co. for $48,600.
Corolla Roof was given a $1.24 million contract to replace the roofs of the Marblehead Department of Public Works and the Marblehead Police Department’s headquarters.
The funding is part of Article 11 from the 2022 Town Meeting warrant, which also set aside $20,000 for the maintenance of town-owned buildings like the Hobbs House garage on Clifton Avenue.
“The Hobbs House received a new roof, window repairs, new siding and painting,” Kezer said. “I haven’t been on site since the work began, but [hearing from others,] it appears to be excellent.”
