Autumn in the North Cemetery.

Sixty miles west of Boston, Massachusetts there is the small New England town of Sturbridge. Located at the junction of I-90 (The Mass Pike), and I-84 it has become known as the "Crossroads of New England". The town was first settled over 300 years ago, and like other small New England towns it has grown just enough over the years to be in a difficult place today. How do we embrace the future without forgetting how we got to our present? How do we attract the right kind of growth, and maintain who we are? And, what about our culture out here in Central Massachusetts?



These pages will cause one to think about how to protect what we have, our future direction, and how to move on in the very best way.


Those thoughts, and other ramblings, will hopefully inspire more thought, conversation, action, and occasionally a smile...

...seems to be working so far

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Town Hall Survey Results

The following are the results from the recent Town Hall Survey held here on Thinking Out Loud.

1. In your opinion, how important is restoring the Town Hall?


36.4% Crucial
36.4% Very Important
18.2 % Needs to be done eventually.
9.1% Not critical at this time.

2. What do you feel would be in the best interest of the Town?

Moving on with the original plan of renovating the Town Hall and the Center School. 63.6%

Building a new facility in town. 36.4%

3. What do you feel would be the shortcomings of moving
on with the original renovation?


No town owned parking at the Town Hall. 12.5%

Congested access to Town Hall. 12.5%

Limited lifespan of renovated Town Hall (30-50 years). 12.5%

Separate buildings. 37.5%

Other:








Comment Text Response Date

1.none unless you want a perfect world Tue, 2/24/09 4:03 PM

2.The town hall will last longer then 30 to 50 years..... it has lasted 100. Mon, 2/23/09 2:05 PM

3.Still will not not be enought room for all Govt funtions wil not solve current porblems and leave room for expansion Mon, 2/23/09 9:42 AM

4.cost Sun, 2/22/09 3:14 PM


4. Why do you feel the renovation would be either
not in the best interest of the Town, or the best choice?














:


Comment Text Response Date

1.Historical Wed, 2/25/09 8:49 AM

2.money Wed, 2/25/09 7:49 AM

3.the renovation is the best and least burden on the tax payers Tue, 2/24/09 4:03 PM

4.Because in the long run, it is cost effective and keeps those buildings in use. Tue, 2/24/09 1:14 PM

5.It is a cornerstone of the historic district Tue, 2/24/09 9:23 AM

6.having to cross 131/loss of productivity Tue, 2/24/09 7:36 AM

7.Killing this warrant would kill old Sturbridge... Mon, 2/23/09 2:05 PM

8.see note above Mon, 2/23/09 9:42 AM

9.n/a Sun, 2/22/09 3:14 PM

10.These buildings play an important role to our town common area. They must be maintained now. Sun, 2/22/09 2:10 PM

5. In the space below please describe what you feel to be
plan that would serve the best interest of the Town of Sturbridge.










Comment Text Response Date

1.Save the Town Hall and Center School project. Wed, 2/25/09 8:49 AM

2.new building Wed, 2/25/09 7:49 AM

3.go ahead with the renovation of teh Town Hal and Center school 2 historic buildings in the historic district Tue, 2/24/09 4:03 PM

4.Renovation and use of the town hall and center school, with space for town employees leased on a short term basis. There has never been any town-owned parking at town hall; why is that suddenly a reason for not doing it? Tue, 2/24/09 1:14 PM

5.Renovate the Town Hall; raze the Center School Tue, 2/24/09 9:23 AM

6.buy the house next door add wing. this way one elevator not 12 bathrooms,turn center chcool into archive storage w/limited access Tue, 2/24/09 7:36 AM

7.Preserving the historical building and not buying another town hall. Mon, 2/23/09 2:05 PM

8.Renovate Town Hall, dispose of center office, rent old ames for 10 year lease and find new place to build a town hall. Mon, 2/23/09 9:42 AM

9.n/a Sun, 2/22/09 3:14 PM

10.We the town manager has the duty to mantain town owned property. These properties are important for our town character especially with the town common next door. We all know the trouble these buildings have caused and that is when there is a good use for them, to say we will use them later for a museum or something else is ridiculous. No one is ever going to approve a much greater $$ in millions in the future for a use such as senior housing or a rec. center. We all know those who suggest that will be the first ones to say - tear them down the town can't afford them. "Pave paradise and put up a parking lot" Sun, 2/22/09 2:10 PM

6. Considering the financial climate at this time, is
the Town Hall Project something that should be postponed
until times are better?


Yes 36.4%
No 63.6%

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