Voluntown Awarded STEAP Grant for Municipal Building Improvements

The Town of Voluntown has been awarded $300,000 in STEAP funds to make critical upgrades to the physical buildings of the Town Hall and Public Library to meet contemporary codes for
safety and accessibility, and to make proactive enhancements to improve the physical meeting spaces and facilities to serve the public. These two buildings are sited on adjacent parcels along Main Street in the heart of Voluntown Village Center and are physically linked with a common parking lot and courtyard.

Specific improvements and enhancements that are planned as part of this project
include:
1) Plumbing upgrades at Town Hall
2) Removal of underground oil tanks for Town Hall/Library
3) Basement waterproofing at Town Hall, including repainting
4) Removal of crumbling chimney at Town Hall
5) Upgrading electrical service on exterior of Town Hall and Library
6) Removal of old furnaces in Town Hall and Library
7) Repointing Town Hall brick siding
8) Bathroom improvements at Town Hall
9) Repainting interior of Town Hall
10) Replacement of Town Hall carpeting
11) New vault for the Town Assessor’s office
12) New exterior doors for Library
13) Meeting room furniture and hybrid meeting technology upgrades at Town Hall
14) Sidewalk and entrance improvements for ADA compliance
15) Outdoor reading/meeting pavilion in courtyard between buildings
16) Mold remediation at Town Hall and Library

Both buildings have been repurposed from former uses (the Library was formerly the
Post Office and the Town Hall was formerly the firehouse). As such, there are some
legacy improvements that remain incomplete and additional enhancements that
should be added to make both facilities function optimally for town staff and the
public.

A committee will be formed to oversee this project. If you are interested in being on the committee, please contact the Selectmen’s Office at 860-376-5880.