New Building
Might Be Better

The recent vote about the proposal to move the town offices to the ground floor of the old Merrimaids (Co-Op) building raises the question of "What is the best solution" in view of the current and expected cost of energy.

Some years back when the question of what to do was put to the taxpayers in a questionnaire, the majority wanted to keep the offices where they presently are. If this is still the desire of the majority. it should be what is done. However, in the ensuing years "green construction" has taken on greater significance. Modern techniques to reduce energy and maintenance costs for a new building might, over the term of the bond issue, produce savings equal to the added cost for building new.

I’m not suggesting that the renovation be abandoned. Instead, what I am suggesting is that potential contractors be challenged to submit two proposals, one for renovation and the other for new construction. Both should contain estimates of operating costs over the life of the bond issue. If the total cost of each were approximately equal then new construction would be worth considering because of the longer life expectancy of the new building.

Pearl Street would be a consideration for locating a new building. In addition, the town might consider redeveloping the area behind Village Pizza and NAPA Automotive.

It is time to take a long range view of the cost/benefit possibilities rather than look only at the immediate cost.

Jim Kennedy

Randolph