Sangerville seeks $500,000 grant to restore town hall

SANGERVILLE — Town officials will submit an application for a $500,000 Maine Historic Community Building Grant for rehabilitating the Sangerville Town Hall early next week.

The town hall committee and Sangerville Historical Society have been exploring funding opportunities for the project. 

The town hall, built in 1901 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been vacant for several years due to safety hazards. Fundraising efforts are underway to restore the structure. In the interim, the town office has moved across the street into rented space, paying $1,700 a month at 93 Main St. 

The application deadline is Oct. 23, but the town plans to submit early in case anything needs adjustment, Town Manager Brian Mullis said during an Oct. 14 Select Board meeting.

Mullis has incorporated feedback into the application, and those involved will conduct a final review.

“The grant looks really good,” he said. “The exciting thing about that, what we didn’t think was possible, is the historical society fund for this matching grant on this project is now at just shy of $80,000 cash.”

The fundraising drive launched in July has raised nearly $80,000, including a $50,000 anonymous donation. 

“I think it’s a testament to people’s interest in the project,” Select Chair Jeff Peters said.

The grant has a 25% match requirement. The engineer estimates as much as $40,000 of in-kind labor could count toward the match.

Several months ago, the Sangerville Historical Society pledged to sell its museum property at 9 Douty Hill Road to cover the 25% match. 

Three real estate agents assessed the property at approximately $100,000. If it is sold, the historical society would gain a new home for its collection and operations in the renovated town hall, which in turn would lead to greater visibility in the building space that formerly housed the library.

“We are in a good place to request the full amount for this,” Mullis said. “We have literally done everything possible we can think of to make this grant application successful.”

Earlier this year Sangerville had its application for a $250,000 Maine Historic Community Building Grant for the town hall turned down.

A sum of $400,000 was raised at the 2024 annual town meeting, which is now in a capital reserve account. Roof repairs have used about $42,000, which puts the account at nearly $360,000. With the $500,000 grant and $125,000 from the historical society, funds would equal close to $1 million.

Renovation costs depend on scope. The foundation should be secured first to restore occupancy, though upper floor work could be deferred if that section is closed.

Foundation work was originally estimated at $440,000, but will likely cost more. Another $10,000 to $20,000 is needed to fix wiring and lighting to pass insurance inspections.

Officials will update residents and present upcoming vote plans at next March’s annual town meeting.

Volunteers spent about 33 hours during a cleanup day last month. The property looks better now than right before the building was closed, Mullis said.

In other business, the Select Board accepted a $5,000 donation from the Dexter Fish & Game Association for reconstructing the Center Pond boat launch.

Of that amount, $500 is earmarked for materials for a dock, $1,500 for surveying and $3,000 for improvements from the Silver’s Mill Road to the landing and parking lot. The association asked that a sign be posted to recognize the contribution.

Bruce McNaughton, a Dexter Fish & Game Association member and long-term Sangerville resident, served as the go-between and Mullis thanked him for bringing the group and municipality together. 

“$5,000 makes a big dent in that,” Mullis said “I can assure you it will be used in the exact way you prescribe.”

The survey company will determine the exact property lines and create a work plan.

“I am hopeful that by early next spring we will have a new dock, have rebuilt the parking area and improved the road to the landing,” Mullis wrote in his weekly post on the Sangerville Facebook page.

A small Veterans Day ceremony is slated on Wednesday, Nov. 11, including several speakers and local organizations.

The fire department is working hard on making improvements within the organization, Mullis wrote. 

The annual Halloween event is scheduled from 3 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the fire station, and will include games and trick-or-treating for the kids and food for everyone.

The day will serve as an open house for people to look at equipment, meet the fire department members and learn about the organization.

“We are looking to recruit some new members, so this is a good opportunity to come and learn if it might be for you,” Mullis wrote. “We know everyone may not want to put on a ton of gear, breathing apparatus and crawl through burning buildings and that is okay. We need a few people willing to maintain those skills but there are a lot of other roles in the fire service today that have a different set of demands.”

Statistics show that 75% of every department’s total calls are for emergency medical services, according to Mullis. 

“We need people willing to consider becoming EMTs and I am happy to talk to people about that,” he wrote. “So, if you don’t have plans on Halloween, come join us at Sangerville Fire.”

The town looks to fill two seats on the SAD 4 School Board. 

Danielle Gray, one of Sangerville’s four board representatives, is considering stepping down due to work and family commitments. Gray had previously indicated she would stay on the board through the end of the year. Gray’s term is set to expire in 2027.

The town anticipates a second vacancy. The Select Board can appoint people to fill the seats.