Old Town Hall Restoration Work
Is Progressing On Schedule
By Mary Anderson

Driving through Bethel, it is difficult not to notice the huge cranes parked outside of the old Town Hall building. Upon closer inspection, one can see the work in progress on the roof, chimney and tower. What is not visible, is the major work in progress inside the building, which is strengthening the roof and helping to ensure that the building will stand for another 115 years.

The work is being overseen by Summit/Catamount, out of Berlin. Cindy Johnson, supervisor of the crew of three women and one man, said she is "glad the work is being completed now and not in another 10 years, as the building would have deteriorated rapidly and repairs would have been much more costly." She noted that they are on schedule with the work and expects the current project to be completed by October 21.

The work is being documented by seventh grade students at the Bethel Middle School under the supervision of teacher Marie Kittel. Her community service class has interviewed Johnson and takes weekly photos of the work in progress. The students are hoping to interview others from the town in order to gain perspective on what the town hall has meant to people over the years. They expect to culminate their six-month project with a power point presentation of the roof restoration project.

It is estimated that an additional $200,000 will be needed to complete phase one of the project. In order to raise these funds, the Bethel Town Hall Restoration Committee has announced the kickoff of their 1892 campaign. Keeping in mind that the original town hall was completed in 1892, the committee is hoping that 1892 individuals will donate a sum with the numbers 1892 contained within. This would include amounts such as $18,920, $518.92 and $18.92. All donations are tax deductible. Checks should be made out to the Bethel Town Hall fund and mailed to or dropped off at the Bethel Town Offices, 134 South Main St., Bethel, Vt. 05032.

The local community can watch the progress of this campaign by noting the yellow sign in the window of the town hall. This sign currently has the number "3," indicating the number of donors thus far. Charlene Bostrom, who was instrumental in moving the roof restoration project forward by pledging at town meeting that she and her husband would make up the difference between money in hand and actual costs for the repair of the roof, said, "It is a jewel of a building. Every person who owns property in town should consider donating."

The Bethel Town Hall Financial Committee meets the last Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. at the town library. All are welcome to attend. For more information, contact Amy Bergamo at 234-5989 or amy.bergamo@innevi.com or Davis Dimock at 234-9832.

____________