Massachusetts Repairs Could Cost $23M

It could cost more than $23 million to renovate Taunton City Hall, which suffered extensive water and smoke damage when firefighters battled an arson in the attic several years ago.

City councilors this week examined three design options ranging from $14.5 million to $23.2 million.

Two less expensive options would either preserve or relocate and enlarge the former council chambers, while the most expensive calls for replacing the older rear portion with a new larger addition.

City Hall has been closed since the August 2010 fire. Since then, council meetings, and the majority of municipal departments, were relocated to an old school.

Building Department superintendent Wayne Walkden tells the Taunton Daily Gazette the estimates are in the range he expected.

No one has been charged.