New chairman brings experience to 1835 Town Hall building

STERLING — 1835 Town Hall Committee member Carl Corrinne was appointed chairman of the committee in August.

It's been a quick journey from committee member to chairman. Corrinne was asked by former committee chairman Bob Jones to join the committee in 2017.

“Through him and other members, I quickly developed a genuine appreciation for the 1835 building and its history,” Corrinne said. “My welcome to the committee and as chair has been great. I have received many compliments and support from the committee members, our town government and residents.”

The mission of the 1835 Town Hall Committee is to refurbish, restore and maintain Sterling's prominent 1835 Town Hall and oversee its use as a community center for open public meeting space, as originally intended.

“To appreciate the preservation of the building, you need not look any further than the many photos on the walls inside. … Sterling residents gathered in front of the building in the 1800s on dirt roads with their horses and buggies alongside them, to realize that we have something special in our town center,” Corrinne said.

The 1835 Town Hall is currently undergoing renovations. Completion is expected this year, which means the building will be usable again. What exactly that will entail is under discussion. Ideas being thrown around include welcoming back groups for meetings and gatherings, and holding events.

“The short-term goals are to complete the current projects, consisting of the full building sprinkler system and the septic system,” Corrinne said. “Both are needed before occupancy can resume. While in progress we are having ongoing discussions for the use of the 1835 building, taking ideas from residents and other town boards and committees.”

Corrinne, who grew up in Marlboro and has lived in Sterling for 31 years, brings decades of construction experience and expertise with him as president of C.D. Corrinne Builders.

“I enjoy working with my committee members and being able to contribute and be a part in the preserving of this historic icon for the town of Sterling, as well as having the opportunity to offer my 28 years of construction experience in organizing and helping oversee our continuing repairs and updates,” he said.

The 1835 Town Hall Committee has worked diligently over the last several years to obtain funding from local voters and through state grants to complete renovation and maintenance projects on the historic building. Those projects include a new roof and restoration of internal beams and rafters. In addition, an ADA-accessible elevator lift will be installed, and septic system updates will be made.

Voters approved $298,000 at the annual town meeting in May 2017; an additional $16,000 came from the town for the design of the elevator lift. Two grants were applied for that year and awarded in 2017 and 2018: an $85,000 Massachusetts Office on Disability grant for construction of the lift and a $100,000 Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund grant to restore the great hall.

“I would like to see the 1835 become a well-used part of our town center, as it was in the past, and serve the residents of the town of Sterling for many more years,” Corrinne said.

The 1835 Town Hall Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month at the 1835 Town Hall. Meetings and agendas are posted on the town website.

“We would enjoy any residents joining our meetings to share their ideas for use of the building,” Corrinne said.

For more information, visit sterling-ma.gov/1835-town-hall-committee, www.sterling1835townhall.org, and follow 1835 Town Hall on Facebook.