More work on Castleton Town Hall

The township continues to spend money on the last remaining work needed for the revamped Castleton Town Hall. Council approved drainage work around the hall worth $3,600 and awarded the contract to Robby's Excavating. The other two tenders came in at $9,000 or more.

This Spring the township approved $40,000 to complete the renovations in the lower level of the building where the Castleton Library is housed.

The work done this summer included removal of all non-supporting walls, and carpet. The sub-floor in the meeting room went. New handrails were installed on the stairs and the floor was tiled with carpet. The Heritage Room had new French doors installed. Existing lighting was replaced by energy-efficient fixtures and cables were installed to allow high-speed internet service. The entire lower level was re-painted with the exception of some historic markings.

A low section of floor discovered during the renovations added another $5,000.

When the walls and floor were pulled out the builder found the floor in one corner had sunk and disintegrated. Moisture had climbed up the wall, ruining the insulation.

Chief Building Official, Natalie Moroz-Cornell was back at Cramahe Council on November 17 asking for a further $3,600 to complete drainage work on the outside of the building to end a seepage problem.

Ms. Moroz-Cornell proposed that the job be paid for, in part, by money accumulated by the end of 2009 in the Castleton Town Hall Reserve. The balance of $600 will come out of the maintenance budget.

The Chief Building Official explained the method being used.

In a method, she described as "foolproof", Ms. Moroz-Cornell stated the ground along the north side and across part of the front and back of the building will be excavated to a depth of 18 inches. Styrofoam, tile drains and gravel will be laid down. Some of the tile will draw the surface water collected to dry wells on the property. The remaining water will be drained off the property.

Ms. Moroz-Cornell felt the work should be done now. It will not be affected by future paving to be done on the parking lot.