The Southborough Historical Commission updated the Community Preservation Committee on plans to restore the town water tower’s roof to a historically appropriate standard and asked the committee to consider how to handle consultant fees and timing for a warrant article.

Kevin (representing the Historical Commission) said earlier contractor interest had been inconsistent and that the commission moved to consult architectural historians and restoration specialists. He reported conversations with preservation professionals including Wendy Frontiero and Brian Pfeiffer and that a recommended local contractor, Dennis Semperbon of Holliston, had offered to perform an initial on-site review gratis. Kevin said, “He has offered to do this initial review of the tower, gratis, and to move from there.”

Kevin told the committee that if additional paid research is needed, the consultant’s rate would be $150 an hour and he estimated no more than about five hours of work (approximately $750). The Historical Commission’s current budget is $1,000; Kevin asked whether the CPC would be amenable to folding a small consultant fee into the overall project cost so the consultant would not wait months for payment if the project is put on a special or fall town meeting warrant.

Committee members agreed they were generally supportive of advancing the project but split on timing. Several members preferred including the item at a fall Town Meeting to allow for a fuller bid package and review; others asked whether the May 10 special Town Meeting might be possible if the consultant visit and a quote could be produced before printing deadlines. One member noted that the Select Board controls the scope of the upcoming special Town Meeting and suggested staff check with the Select Board chair about whether the article could be added.

On-site work to date revealed that exterior rafters appeared in good condition but that an interior horizontal crack was visible and should be examined by someone with roofing, carpentry and masonry experience. Kevin said he favored doing the work to a high standard even if it delays the bid cycle, to ensure a long-lasting restoration in advance of the town’s tricentennial in 2027.

The committee asked Kevin to pursue a site visit with the recommended contractor and to check whether the Select Board would permit a spring special-town-meeting article; staff were asked to report back with timelines to the committee before their next meeting.