Kennebunkport Town Hall
On this page:
► Introduction to project
► Community Survey
► Video Tour of current Town Hall
► FAQ
► Files and Presentations
► History of Project
► Town Hall Building Committee Members
► Town Hall Building Committee Minutes
Introduction to project
Community Survey
Video Tour of current Town Hall
An FAQ on the Town Hall project has been developed to answer the most frequently asked questions about this project. It is also available as a PDF (Download Town Hall FAQ PDF).
Files and Presentations
- Memo from Town Hall Subcommittee Aug 2, 2023
- Update presented at the August 10, 2023 Board of Selectmen Meeting
- Kennebunkport Town Hall Discussion Presentation from August 24, 2023
- Town Hall Community Survey - Winter 2024 Results
Information about Sites Considered:
Below are detailed and summary versions of an evaluation matrix of the various sites considered for a new town hall.
- Kennebunkport Town Hall Sites Evaluation Matrix - Detailed
- Kennebunkport Town Hall Sites Evaluation Matrix - Summary
Additional resources/information:
- The Fall 2022 Town Newsletter: An article on page 2 entitled Town Hall is Planning for the Future summarizes the process to that point.
- The Fall 2023 Town Newsletter: The article on pages 1 and 2 reviews all questions on the November 2023 ballot, including the construction of a new town hall.
- Presentation from joint meeting of Budget Board and Select Board on September 11, 2023
Additional information about the election including a copy of the ballot questions and information on how to register to vote and absentee voting can be found on the Elections and Voting page.
A History of the Project
The Board of Selectmen began the Town Hall design process in 2019 when they undertook a programming space analysis to determine the programming space needs for the five departments currently housed in the existing town hall. In June of 2022 funding was allocated for the design and construction plans for the project and the Town hired Sebago Technics and Grant Hayes Architects to assist with the plan and design phase. The Selectboard appointed a Town Hall building committee in October of 2022 comprised of seven residents, two selectboard members and six staff members to work with the consultants through the design phase. The committee met multiple times from October 2022 through June 2023 and reviewed over seven designs including both single and multi-story structures.
The committee selected the current single-story design that allows easy access for the public to all meeting spaces and departments within the proposed 12,661 square foot building.
The space is broken down as follows:
Office spaces 5,728 sqft.
Meeting rooms 2,128 sqft.
Functional Support 1,728 sqft.
Circulation 2,068 sqft.
Mechanicals 1,009 sqft.
The Town Hall Building Committee made their presentation to the Selectboard at the July 13, 2023, meeting. During the presentation the consultants reviewed the current cost estimate of $8.8 million for the project assuming a 2024 construction start. During the next few meetings the Selectboard discussed ways to lower the property tax impact to its taxpayers. As a result of that dialogue the Selectboard is bringing forward the following proposal for voter consideration. The request is to bond the project and authorize the use of reserve funds, sale proceeds from two properties (including the current town hall) and to raise funds from public donations. The goal is to reduce the bond request from $8.8 million to $5.8 million by the use of reserves, fundraising, and the sale of property. The presentation can be seen here: Presentation on Town Hall Update from July 13, 2023 BOS Meeting. This presentation includes the process, projected cost estimate, and architectural designs.
This design was brought to the voters in November 2023, with a final vote of 758 yes and 886 no. The Select Board decided to appoint additional members to the first committee and direct them to consider the feedback received through the public process to bring an updated design and cost estimate for voters' consideration in 2024.
Town Hall Building Committee Members
The members of the first Town Hall Building Committee were appointed at the October 13, 2022, Select Board Meeting. The members of the second Town Hall Building Committee were appointed at the December 28, 2023, Select Board meeting.
October 13, 2022 meeting:
Oct 13, 2022, Select Board Meeting Minutes
Oct 13, 2022, Select Board Meeting Video
December 28, 2023 meeting:
December 28, 2023 Select Board Meeting Minutes
December 28, 2023 Select Board Meeting Video
Name | Position |
---|---|
COMMITTEE 2023 | |
April Dufoe | Resident |
David Graham | Resident |
Jessica Kimball | Resident |
Judith Phillips | Resident |
Richard Smith | Resident |
Deb Bauman | Resident |
Larry Simmons | Resident |
Eric Labelle | Staff - Deputy Public Works Director/Principal Engineer |
Nicole Evangelista | Staff - Finance Director |
Tracey O'Roak | Staff - Town Clerk |
Werner Gilliam | Staff - Director of Planning and Codes |
Yanina Nickless | Staff - Director of Support Services |
Laurie Smith | Staff - Town Manager |
Jon Dykstra | Select Board Member |
Mike Weston | Select Board Member |
COMMITTEE 2024 | |
April Dufoe | Resident |
David Graham | Resident |
Judith Phillips | Resident |
Richard Smith | Resident |
Deb Bauman | Resident |
Kevin McDonnell | Resident |
Tim Pattison | Resident |
John Ware | Resident |
Allan Evelyn | Resident |
Galen Weibley | Staff - Director of Planning and Development |
Yanina Nickless | Staff - Director of Support Services |
Laurie Smith | Staff - Town Manager |
Mike Weston | Select Board Member |
Marybeth Gilbert | Select Board Member |
Town Hall Building Committee Minutes
- Click here to see the January 18, 2024, minutes
- Click here to see the February 14, 2024 minutes
- Click here to see the March 21, 2024 minutes