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     Officials in Morristown are currently investigating the possibility of moving the Town Offices to a new location sometime in the future. The town selectboard and other officials have begun the process of looking into relocating the offices to a portion of what was formerly Arthur’s Department Store. The Town of Morristown leases the space in the Tegu building where the offices are currently located, and that lease runs out in roughly four years.
     “There has always been a desire to keep the town offices in the downtown,” stated Morristown Town Administrator Dan Lindley, “Not only would this possible move accomplish that but it would also have the side benefit of helping to keep the Arthur’s building alive and well.”
     According to Lindley, at this point the town is working with the Vermont Housing Partnership to evaluate whether it would be feasible for the Town Offices to be moved into the portion of Arthur’s that is known as the Ferris Building. The town would likely occupy the basement and first floor of that building, a space of approximately 6,000 square feet, which is over half of the total of 11,000 square feet in commercial space in the Arthur’s building. If the move does occur, the town would not own or operate any of the apartments that are located in the upstairs portion of the building. The space currently leased by the town in the Tegu Building is only slightly smaller, but the space available in both buildings is not the only reason for the possible move.
     “Realistically it makes more sense for towns to own the space where their offices are located,” stated Lindley, “Morristown owning their own space should save the town money in the long run.”
     Lindley also reiterated that the town is only exploring its options at this point. Town officials plan to continue working with the Vermont Housing Partnership to review the project. According to Lindley, one of the next steps would be to establish a projected total cost to the town if the building was purchased. While the Vermont Housing Partnership would be responsible for making the space environmentally safe, the town would be responsible for purchase costs and any construction or changes to the space. An engineer will likely need to be consulted to provide an accurate estimate of what expenses the town would incur in updating the building.
     “We have to make sure that it is a fiscally responsible project for the town to take on,” commented Lindley.
     Lindley further explained that he and other town officials are hoping to have more concrete numbers of what the move and updates to the building could cost by the end of February. And while nothing is certain at this point, if the town were to ask the voters to approve the funds necessary to make the purchase that could potentially happen as early as August in conjunction with the primaries scheduled at that time.

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These two geese can’t fly and have been wandering around Bridge St. in Morrisville. Fish & Wildlife are monitoring them, but expect they will be okay with the mild winter.        Smith photo