Mattapoisett resident advises Marion: Consider Holliston
To the Editor:
At the risk of interfering with Marion's business I would like to offer a thought regarding the Town House issue. I was grew up in Mattapoisett, and prior to my recent retirement and return permanently to my hometown I lived in Holliston, Massachusetts, for 38 years. During that time I served on the School Committee and numerous other boards and spent many hours in its town hall.
I understand that the issue in Marion is whether to build a new building outside the Village or refurbish the present historical structure in the center of the Village.
A few years ago Holliston also had to choose between a new building outside the Village and refurbishing the existing building in the Village to bring it up to modern standards. It had, over the years, begun to deteriorate and was a jumble of inefficient office spaces created without thought or consideration to the historical character of the building. They chose to save the building. It is now a beautiful, fully efficient modern office building which maintains its historical feel.
I would urge you to contact the Holliston town administrator for information about their experience. It might be worthwhile for a visit to Holliston to see the extraordinary transformation of its building.
Dick Morgado
Mattapoisett