Board approves preliminary plan for new Town Hall

The Grafton Town Board is moving forward with plans to build a new hall.

The board on Wednesday, March 10, approved a preliminary concept plan for the hall to be constructed at 2315 Hwy. W, just north of Fire Ridge Golf Club.

In August, the town purchased 3.39 acres at the site for $230,000.

Plans call for construction of a 1,900-square-foot community room that can seat as many as 110 people. The facility will also have a 175-square-foot conference room along with offices and additional workspace for staff.

Plans also include a 200-square-foot waiting room, restrooms and areas for storage and utilities.

Town Chairman Lester Bartel said that once a final project plan is approved, the town expects to begin bidding out the project to contractors by summer.

Two years ago, the board received approval from electors for the project, which was then expected to cost $1 million. Because the project cost is now estimated at about $1.3 million, Bartel said the town will again ask residents for their approval.

The town currently rents hall space at 1102 Bridge St. in the Village of Grafton for $34,200 per year.

The town has set aside $10,000 to $15,000 annually for a new hall, with that fund now totaling approximately $230,000. Officials said the money spent annually on rent will eventually go toward construction of the new hall.

Bartel said he is concerned about parking for older adults at the current town hall, where meetings and elections take place. The hall property should also provide additional amenities for residents, such as recycling and yard waste disposal, he added.