February 10th, 2023
PDF Presentation | Video from Town Meeting
On February 7, 2023, the Town held a public meeting to provide an update regarding the proposed Town Hall Renovations.
Charlestown’s historic two-room schoolhouse, located in Market Square, currently houses the Town Hall and a branch of the United States Postal Service. The Town’s office staff share a 400 square-foot room and a common wall with the Post Office.
Town growth necessitates not only larger administrative accommodations, but also a dedicated public meeting space, community center, outdoor gathering place, and additional parking. To maintain the integrity of the Historic District and schoolhouse building, the Town worked with the architectural firm, Cooperson & Associates, to create a design incorporating the schoolhouse with a new addition and Post Office building.
The schoolhouse would be restored to it’s original state, and renovated to accommodate community meetings. This space would be welcome for use by local groups, such as Young at Heart and Boy & Girl Scouts, and private parties. The Town Hall addition, on the back of the schoolhouse, will include a lobby, commercial kitchen, ADA-compliant public restrooms, and private office space for Town Staff. To accommodate the addition, the Fairgreen Park playground will be moved to a new location, in between Black Ave and Conestoga St.
As for the Post Office, there are rumors that the Charlestown branch might close due to staffing capacity issues, but this is not confirmed and the Town wants the Post Office to stay. The proposed design would include a stand-alone building adjacent to the Town Hall addition. If need be, the Town is willing to provide staffing assistance to operate a Village Post Office.
The renovation will not only include a Town Hall addition, but will also include more usable space in Market Square. Outdoor space around the Town Hall will be expanded to allow for gatherings and events, such as the annual Christmas tree lighting and Halloween parade. Additional parking spaces will be provided, as well as, a water tower feature, commemorative pavers and memorial benches, which could be part of a fundraising effort. The entrance to Town Hall and the Community Center will have ADA-compliant ramps to access either building.
Feedback received during the Town Meeting will be incorporated into the design process, and more updates will be provided in the future.