Warren town hall study is underway

Selectmen request community opinions

By Jon Cook

Turley Publications Correspondent

WARREN - Thanks to a little state assistance, a consultant has begun a reuse study of the Warren town hall. The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) awarded $10,000 to FinePoint Associates to explore feasible options for using the building.

Margaret Barringer from FinePoint will spearhead the study. The first task included the development of a citizen survey so Warren residents can offer their opinions on how the town should best use the building. The selectmen encourage all residents of Warren to fill out the survey to help develop a consensus for action that will have widespread community support. Please visit the town website at www.warren-ma.gov and click on the link to the survey on the home page. Responses to the survey will be anonymous. For those without computers, printed copies will be available at the Senior Center and Shepard Municipal Building. The town will publish the results in a few weeks. The town website will also contain a page to provide information about the project.

Warren’s Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) will coordinate the study for the town. The committee will help analyze the survey results, and will provide a sounding board to help FinePoint understand local market conditions and develop reasonable recommendations. The CAC is working hard to revitalize West Warren and Warren Center through a variety of state grants.

Municipal offices vacated the town hall in 1993 and moved to the Shepard Building at 48 High St. Currently, the police department occupies the first floor. According to state law, when Warren reaches a population of 5,000 people, it must have its own lock-up facilities. With the police department in the building, the town has kept up with basic maintenance and the building is in structurally sound condition.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places, due to its distinctive architectural features and prominent role in town affairs. The second story contains a beautiful hall and balcony. The town held meetings there, and numerous plays and shows helped to create a vibrant cultural life for local residents. Unfortunately, the building is not handicapped accessible, and the second floor is not useable until the town provides an elevator.

The consultant could recommend using the building for other municipal purposes, but Ms. Barringer will also examine private business uses. The selectmen believe a renovated town hall is key to the revitalization of Warren Center. Creating a dynamic public or private use will help to entice new investment and support more economic activity in this area.

For more information, please contact jean McCaughey, the selectmen’s administrative assistant, at 413-436-5701.