MATTAPOISETT — After decades without any major work done, renovations to the Mattapoisett Highway building are now one step closer.

Town Meeting approved the Mattapoisett Highway Department’s request for $4 million on May 12 to pay for renovations, including repairs to the leaky roof, constructing new office spaces and additional garage space, improving bathroom facilities and creating a new break room.

According to Mattapoisett Highway Surveyor Garrett Bauer, the building currently has inadequate ventilation, limited accessibility and significant weather damage, which are hampering the department’s ability to efficiently work.

The project will now appear on the Town Election ballot on May 20 for voters to allow for a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion.

Proposition 2½ prevents towns from increasing the property tax levy more than 2.5% each year without voters’ approval. Debt exclusions allow for a temporary tax increase above the 2.5% limit to repay borrowing for a specific project per voters’ approval.

The impact on the average taxpayer would be approximately $52 per year.

“As our operations grow, so does the need for an updated, more efficient space,” Bauer said.

Town Meeting also approved spending $1.3 million to continue renovations to Oakland Street, which will also be funded through a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion.

In February, phase one of repairs to the Mattapoisett Highway building were complete, ensuring compliance with fire suppression and interior drainage systems.

Now the building must meet modern safety standards and operational efficiency.

“With the last significant improvements to the building occurring in the mid-1960s, the facility doesn’t currently meet expectations related to workplace safety, environmental conditions and public health,” Bauer said.

Pat Donoghue, who was on the finance committee for 13 years, spoke in favor of the highway building renovations, explaining that she finds it scary to be in the building.

“It’s just an incredible place — the fumes are overwhelming, there’s oil and chemicals everywhere,” she said. 

She added, “I think it’s mandatory that we protect our employees. This is long, long overdue.”

The water, sewer and gas lines on Oakland Street have already been renovated, with upgrades to the drainage system up next.

The average taxpayer would pay approximately $30 per year of the debt’s lifespan, and to offset the total cost, $200,000 from free cash would be allocated to the project.