In a preliminary report to the Board of Selectmen on May 9, Dennis Hallahan wrote that the project to make code-related upgrades and do maintenance work at the John P. Riggio Building could cost the town up to $146,000. Because new information of from a recent analysis by the new deputy fire marshals Donn Dobson and John Planas could lower costs on some tasks, Hallahan asked the selectmen for another few weeks to finalize the project cost estimates.

Hallahan was first asked to chair a Code Compliance Project Committee in January 2015. Since that time, a representative from the State Fire Marshal’s office has inspected the Riggio Building and provided his conclusions about code-related upgrades and Hallahan, working with town staff and contractors, has been delineating the tasks and estimating their costs.

The relocation of emergency operations center antennas that are currently on the roof of the Riggio Building is included in the current cost estimate. The plan includes fabrication of a new antenna tower base at ground level, installation of the emergency operation antennas on this new tower, and then, replacement of aging roof on which the antennas rested.

Other tasks on Hallahan’s list are electrical repairs, replacement of interior door locks, railing repairs, carpentry, and work to increase the fire protection measures around the basement’s boiler. Also on the list is long-needed maintenance work including interior painting and installation of new carpet tiles and stair treads in some areas.

As a result of 2015 work at the Riggio Building to install a new fire alarm system and add panic bars on the exterior doors, emergency lighting, and placards, the building is currently deemed safe for occupancy. To date, the town has spent $44,205 on these tasks, according to Hallahan’s report to the selectmen.

After Hallahan presents to the selectmen a final report on the costs to upgrade the Riggio Building, the board will then weigh the scope and costs of the upgrades. If the selectmen approve a spending plan for the building, the proposed appropriation, likely exceeding the $20,000 threshold, would then go to the Board of Finance and to Town Meeting for a vote.