Upton Reaches Agreement to Rent ‘Holy Angels’ for Proposed Town Hall Renovation

Over a year ago, the town approached the owners of Holy Angels in hopes to rent the building for the use of town offices if the Town Hall Restoration Project was agreed on by voters. At that time the owners had just placed the church on the market and they weren’t interested in renting it out, today they are. Upton has reached an agreement in principal to lease Holy Angels and expects to pay the church about $1,500 a month plus half the taxes, according to Town Manager Blythe Robinson.

Since originally ‘Holy Angels’ was not an option, earlier this year the town considered moving the offices to Memorial School in Upton. “Parents were concerned.” Blythe reports the town received close to 200 petitions. “People responded, they didn’t want the town offices in the school.” Blythe hopes the parents will now want to see the project go forward.

When the people of Upton spoke out against having temporary offices at Memorial School the town looked at other options; deciding to approach the owners of Holy Angles again and look in to renting portable offices which would be placed in the VFW parking lot. “Renting the church was more cost effective by a few thousand dollars,” Blythe said. Some modifications to the church will be needed. Having the offices at ‘Holy Angel’s “increases the project by about 30 thousand dollars.” Blythe hopes “the voters will see the benefits over the concerns of going to the school.”

The town will vote at the town meeting on May 9 for the preservation project. The warrant will be posted on April 23. The town hasn’t finalized the cost, but should have a final number after next week; the bid opening for construction is April 16, providing the cost of the project. The town will then have to figure in rent for the offices, modifications, furniture, and moving costs.  Blythe estimates the total cost will be between 5.5 and 6 million but she will know better next Tuesday.

Approximately 95% of the project is paid for by Community Preservation funds. About 8 years ago the town passed the Community Preservation Act which allows the town to tax itself up to 3% to put in a fund to carry out certain activities including; historic preservation, open space, affordable housing and recreation. The state matches the CPA funds, at first the state was matching 100% – if you chose the full amount of 3 percent, now it’s closer to 50%. “Most of the time we have had the act we haven’t spent a lot of the money. The town has been saving the funds in hopes of the Town Hall Renovation and to increase recreation.” According to Blythe there is almost 2.2 million in the CPA fund.

Blythe anticipates the CPA will put down 1.5 million for this project, with the town borrowing the rest over 20 years. The town will be able to fund the 20 year loan with the CPA funds it brings in. “The take away is you’re taxed an extra 3 percent but you have been, you won’t pay any more in new taxes. “ Blythe also points out the town will not be using all CPA money collected/matched for the town hall project. “We will still be able to save.”

There is a CPC meeting scheduled May 1 with an open house scheduled at 6 p.m. Blythe is hoping people will come to the open house to take the  tour and then attend the meeting . “Hopefully they will vote to push it town meeting vote May 9.