Work could begin on ‘illegal’ steps

SALISBURY — Salisbury’s Town Hall will get a major makeover this fall. The Board of Selectmen at the regular monthly meeting Monday, Sept. 10, voted to get started on rebuilding the ramps, steps and facade.

First Selectman Curtis Rand said the total price is $278,000. 

There will be a town meeting soon, with a number of financial items on the agenda, including the balance of the Town Hall project.

Rand said the work is long overdue. Not only do the steps regularly deteriorate, but the ramps are “illegal” because they are right under the roof and have to be closed in winter because of falling ice.

The ramps will be moved out 8 feet.

The town is considering replacing the current mix of fluorescent and incandescent street lights with LEDs. Rand said the company that services the lights told him that parts are becoming hard to find.

As a test, Rand has flagged, with two orange ribbons, two light poles on Salmon Kill Road and two on Lakeview Avenue, so people can see how the lights look.

Marshall Miles said people can also go over to Sharon to see LED streetlights in action.

The selectmen approved a request from the Planning and Zoning Commission to approve an expenditure for planning upgrades — specifically, for a planner to help the commission modify existing regulations to allow for higher density housing in the village areas. This is relevant to the ongoing discussion about renovating the defunct Chinese restaurant on Main Street in Lakeville and creating apartments in that building.

The selectmen approved the following appointments:

• Georgia Petry as Affordable Housing Coordinator (through Dec. 31); Ruth Mulcahy as administrator for the Inland Wetland and Conservation Commission (reappointed through Dec. 31); Cary Ullman as a full member of the commission, replacing Alanna Mulligan (who has resigned).