MARION — Selectmen and Town Administrator Jay McGrail were grateful and excited when they voted to accept a $150,000 donation from the Sippican Historical Society to fund work on the Town House renovation project.

Selectman John Waterman said at a June 29 meeting that the town already used up their Capital Planning Committee funding in the current phase of the project. Without the society’s donation “it wouldn’t be happening,” he said.

The money is part of a $550,000 donation that will be used in phases as the project moves forward. The current donation will go towards finishing the roof and soffits (bottom panel of the gutter), as well as for landscaping the front of the house. 

This phase of construction began in February this year and will repair the exterior of the front portion of the building, which will include new siding, paint, and windows. 

At June 16 Selectmen’s meeting, McGrail said that the exterior renovations are 90% complete, however restoring some of the windows will take a month or month and a half.  

The last major renovation was more than 40 years ago. The project will also address hazardous building materials and poor air circulation in the building that have created unsatisfactory working conditions for employees.

Society President and Director of Special Projects Frank McNamee said the town house is “really coming out fabulously” and the group is very pleased to be a part of it.

“We’re excited and we couldn’t be more grateful” for the help, said Waterman.