2021-03-18

TOWN OF MANCHESTER, VERMONT

MANCHESTER COURTHOUSE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES

BOARD ATTENDEES: CYNTHIA KILBURN (CHAIR), GREG CUTLER, KATY MCNABB, NINA MOONEY, ORLAND CAMPBELL, SHAWN HARRINGTON, GORDON BLACK, WAYNE BELL. ABSENT: NONE.

TOWN STAFF ATTENDEES: JOHN O'KEEFE (TOWN MANAGER), BILL BADGER (ARCHITECT)

PUBLIC ATTENDEES: NEIL FREEBURN, JIM RAPOSA, GLORIA PALMER, BRIAN KNIGHT.

KILBURN CALLED THE MEETING TO ORDER AT: 6:00 pm

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 24, 2019

McNabb moved, seconded by Cutler, to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. Motion unanimously approved.

UPDATE ON RECENT IMPROVEMENTS

O'Keefe updated the Committee on recent improvements to the Courthouse, including installation of internet and WiFI, security improvements, and code compliance. O'Keefe also noted that the Town started to clean out the Courthouse, removing the newer office furniture and other items left by the County. O'Keefe noted that the roof needs attention and that ADA and code compliance issues should be top priority.

ZONING COMPLIANCE

O'Keefe updated the Committee on the status of the Courthouse as far as Village zoning. O'Keefe read an email from Eric Scott (Village Zoning Administrator). The Committee discussed zoning issues, as well as advantages to continuing to keep the building as a public building owned by the Town. Campbell stated that parking would be an important issue.

POSSIBLE REUSES

The Committee discussed possible reuses, focusing on public ownership. Palmer stated that GMALL would be interested in using the space for lectures as well as office space. Black noted that public grants were available for restoration of historic buildings, especially if the building has a large volume of public use.

Campbell mentioned that Burr and Burton Academy uses the building for mock trials and urged the Committee to maintain the interior as a courthouse. Discuss focused on this. Some attendees noted that keeping the interior as a courthouse may exclude other uses including the arts. Harrington stated that the Manchester Historic Society would use a renovated building for lectures, events, and presentations. Palmer noted that if the building had audio-video equipment it would open up a lot of uses. Harrington agreed. Raposa stated that Burr and Burton needs more space for the arts, including smaller shows and rehearsals and that the location worked well for Burr and Burton.

Campbell noted that the Equinox Hotel could provide some solutions to the parking issue. Black noted that the Hotel said it would be open to discussing parking solutions. Campbell noted that he wanted to protect the inside of the building and keep it as a courthouse. Freeburn stated that acoustics would be important, especially if the drop ceiling was removed.

O'Keefe spoke about possibly forming a not-for-profit to run the building. Discussion focused on the possible need to hire staff to run the building if the programming was frequent enough.

Badger spoke about compliance with ADA, having the building reviewed for asbestos, and completing CAD drawings of the building. He noted that the drawings could be done in a little over a month to 6 weeks.

NEXT MEETING

The Committee agreed to meet again in 6 to 8 weeks.

APPROVED BY: ______________________________________________

CLERK