News

By Rich Pollack

After six months and more than $900,000 worth of improvements, Highland Beach’s Town Hall renovation project is all but complete. Now commissioners are trying to figure out how to show off the enhancements.
Commissioners, at a workshop meeting last month, discussed two options for giving residents a chance to see the renovations, which were designed to merge two separate buildings into one, adding convenience and accessibility.
One option, proposed by Town Manager Kathleen Weiser, is to hold an open house similar to one held for the opening of the town library in 2006.
Another option proposed by Commissioner Carl Feldman, is to hold a formal ribbon cutting that could include a luncheon.
 “I would like to have something really nice,” Feldman said, adding that residents should have the chance to see what their tax dollars paid for. “I think we should have a proper ribbon cutting and all of the residents should be invited.”
Commissioner Dennis Sheridan, who was not at the meeting, had earlier said he favored an open house that would give residents a chance to see the work that had been done.
“The improvements are outstanding,” said Sheridan. “Compared to what we had, it’s much more attractive and it’s much more practical.”
Another plus, Sheridan said, is that the project is on track to be completed ahead of schedule and under budget, he said.  
“We want residents to see what was done,” he said. “Then they can be very proud to say this is now our town hall.”     
Town Manager Kathleen Weiser estimated that the town could spend close to $1,000 for refreshments and giveaways and a tent for an open house. Feldman said he would be comfortable spending more than twice that amount for a formal ribbon cutting.
“It should be a gala affair,” he said, adding that he would like to see the event held after seasonal residents return, possibly in December.
While no date has been set for the full completion of the project, Weiser said she is hopeful all work will be done by the end of the month.
Spending for the project had been an issue for decades. It became the center of an investigation by the Palm Beach County Inspector General’s Office, which determined earlier this year that the town violated state law when it approved spending for the project without getting approval from residents in a referendum.
Commissioners are  expected to discuss how to celebrate the completion of the renovations at a meeting later this month.