Q. Why should the Town Hall move to the 1928 Building?
A.. A town-wide survey was conducted in the Spring of 2022 to determine if there was support from the community to retain the 1928 Building. The results of that survey indicated that 77.8% of respondents supported retaining the 1928 Building.
As a result, the 1928 Building Committee was established by the Town Council on May 10, 2022. The Committee has been working with the project architects and Town departments to review the Town’s long-term space and storage needs to meet the Statement of Needs, as approved by Town Council in April 2022.
Moving the Town Hall to the 1928 Building would meet the Town’s long- and short-term space needs.
Q. Why are we doing this project now? And what will happen if the project does not pass at referendum?
A. The Town Council discussed that renovating the 1928 section of the existing Farmington High School into town offices will retain the oldest section of the original Farmington High School and create space for town offices and non-profit organizations.
During their discussions, the Town Council determined that this project should be done in conjunction with the new Farmington High School project for several reasons. First, when the existing high school is demolished in the summer of 2024, two of the four walls of the 1928 building will be exposed to outside elements and in need of masonry repairs and restoration. If the Town does not undertake the project in conjunction with the demolition of the existing high school, the Town would need to build temporary wall(s) and make structural modifications which would be costly and would eventually need to be removed for the permanent walls. Second, using the 7 million dollars in ARPA funds would reduce the cost of this project to Farmington taxpayers but those funds must be committed by December 31, 2024, or the funds must be returned to the Federal government. Lastly, doing this project in conjunction with the new Farmington High School project will result in cost savings and efficiencies with the site work, utilities, paving and landscaping work. It was determined that if the 1928 building is to remain from a financial and structural standpoint, both projects should be done in conjunction with one another.
For the above reasons the Town Council gave unanimous consensus that the 1928 Building would be demolished if the upcoming referendum does not pass.
Q. If the Town Hall moves to the 1928 Building, what will happen to the existing Town Hall?
A. It is anticipated that the existing Town Hall will become the Town Hall Annex and space will be provided for community use, social service programs, additional Town storage, and an expanded Regional Probate Court.
Providing space at the Town Hall Annex would serve existing needs, as well as provide capacity for other community organizations. The existing Town Hall would provide a larger space, in a centralized location for both Unionville and Farmington, and be in close proximity to Farmington’s Community Services Department.
There would also be workspaces for entrepreneurs and artists in the community.
Q. What are American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and why are they being used for this project?
A. The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 provided funding to state and local governments. After receiving ARPA funds, the Farmington Town Council established a subcommittee to determine and make recommendations regarding these funds. They recommended that the ARPA funds be used to undergo large long-term capital expenditures.
At the January 24, 2023, Town Council meeting the Town Council agreed to the use of $7.0 million dollars in ARPA funds for this project. This would bring the cost of the project to the Farmington Taxpayers to $9.0 million dollars.
Please visit the Project Cost page to view the Town’s Financial Forecast and resources related to this project.
Q. What is the proposed project timeline?
A. Proposed timeline:
Referendum - April 27, 2023
Design Development - Summer 2023 to Fall 2023
Construction Documents - Fall 2023 to Winter 2024
General Contractor Bidding - Spring 2024
Construction - Summer 2024 through Spring 2025.
Q. What will the multipurpose recreational space be used for?
A. During the design process, the project architects confirmed that the band room in the current high school is original to the 1928 building. In 1928 when Farmington High School first opened, this two-story space was the auditorium and gymnasium.
The Statement of Needs lists gym space as a town-wide need for recreational programs. The multipurpose recreational space enables the Town’s needs to be met and also provide additional recreational space for other programs including dance and yoga. It should be noted that the gym space will not be a regulation basketball court but will be able to be used for the Town’s youth basketball program. The gym space may also be used for pickleball, volleyball, badminton, or other recreational programs.
Q. How will the 1928 renovation impact the site plan for the FHS Project?
A. The site plan proposes a distinct separation of Town Hall and Farmington High School use. Parking for the Town Hall will be on the West side of the 1928 Building while student and central office parking remains nearly untouched from the Farmington High School plan (some spots are proposed to be relocated to provide more of a buffer between High School parking and dedicated 1928 Building parking).
The site plan also calls for the relocation of the tennis courts. The previous tennis court location would be converted to green space for Town or school use.
Q. How long will construction take and how will that impact the FHS project?
A. Construction is anticipated to last 10 months. There should be little impact to the new high school, as the 1928 project is anticipated to run concurrent with the existing high school demolition and subsequent site development of the western portion of the Farmington campus.
Q. Will the new Town Hall be accessible for residents of all abilities?
A. The proposed plan will meet ADA requirements and will be accessible for residents of all abilities. The Human Relations Commission has requested that Universal Design be a consideration for the project.