Town Hall funds to be voted on

The Upton Town Hall Renovation Committee will ask voters for funding approval in May as it seeks to complete the designs for a proposed two-year Town Hall project. Whether architects will recommend renovation or new construction has not yet been determined. According to the committee, among the factors in play: Upton’s current Town Hall is too small; it does not comply with all state-mandated handicapped-accessibility codes; and the building lacks modern heating, cooling, and ventilation systems. Town Hall operates under a preservation restriction agreement with the Massachusetts Historical Commission, limiting what Upton officials can do to it without state approval. While cost estimates have not yet been issued by the town’s retained architectural firm, Kelly McElreath, who chairs the committee, said in a statement the design-funding question would be put to voters this spring. Final plans would then be presented next year, with the work beginning shortly thereafter. - James O’Brien