$2.9 Million Deep River Town Hall Project to Provide More Office Space

DEEP RIVER - After much time and effort by the Town Hall Building Committee, residents of this Connecticut town will soon be able to cast their votes regarding a proposal to expand the 1892 municipal building.

Richard King, chairman of the Town Hall Building Committee, said the project would add approximately 2,900 square feet per floor including the two levels above grade and the basement.

The project would completely renovate the existing building except for the auditorium, King said, adding it would result in the closure of Veterans Memorial Lane and create additional parking spaces near the building's northwest corner.

King said the town has received $100,000 from Turnpike Properties, the developers of the future Walgreens at 190 Main Street, for design fees.

It has applied for a $300,000 Small Cities Grant for ADA Compliance to the existing building and a $100,000 grant from the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism for the restoration aspect of the project.

Schematic plans show the first floor would have a new main entrance in the expansion featuring a lobby with a more prominent display of the Columbia Memorial.

The expansion will house a 540-square-foot Town Clerk's Office with an adjacent 640-square-foot vault, a large 740-square-foot conference room with a chair storage room, and an additional stairwell with access to the basement, first, and second levels.

The existing section of the first floor will house the offices of the Selectman, Selectman's Assistant, Accounting, Tax Collector, Assessor, Resident State Trooper, a shared equipment room and restrooms.

It will also house an elevator with an extended pit allowing access between the basement, first, and second floors.

Schematics for the expansion to the second floor show it would house a 720-square-foot Land Use Office in addition to offices for the Probate Court, Probate Judge, and Registrar of Voters.

It would also house a 150-square-foot conference room and an 80-square foot conference room would be housed on this floor as well as a shared office, a 105-square-foot staff room, and restrooms.