By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

The Worcester County Arts Council’s building, located in Berlin, will receive a roof replacement and improvement work to the facility’s handicapped ramp to make it safe and durable, per approval from the town’s Historic District Commission last week.

Anna Mullis, the art council’s executive director, came before the commission at its Wednesday, July 2 meeting to request approval to go ahead with replacing the structure’s current, deteriorating roof. The executive director said that the organization has been in contact with Chesapeake Roofing, a local company, which will complete the installation.

Per the commission’s meeting agenda, the proposed shingle material for the new roof is GAF Timberline HDZ in the color “Fox Hollow Gray,” which will offer durability, wind resistance, “advanced protection,” and a “cool-toned, dimensional gray color that complements traditional and coastal-style exteriors.”

Historic committee members maintained that the arts council selected ideal roof shingle material, keeping in line with the artistic aesthetic of Jefferson Street, where the facility is located.

Council officials hope to launch the project soon. According to Mullis, the current roof is creating less-than-ideal conditions for the structure’s safety and integrity.

“We are very anxious to start this project once it’s approved because we have had several issues with leaking windows, and we don’t want it to cause any more damage to the building,” she said.

The Worcester County Arts Council will also make improvements to its handicapped ramp. Mullis stated that the walkway features wooden pickets that are decaying and in constant need of maintenance, posing a hazard to those who use it, such as the elderly and disabled.

The council’s ramp work proposal includes “replacing the pickets with stainless steel cable inserts on both sides of the ramp to ensure greater stability, safety, and reduced upkeep,” the application reads.

The ramp’s current white graspable handrails will remain. Two new 4×4 posts will be placed at the end of the ramp near the council’s front entrance to replace the existing, unstable supports.

“The stainless steel cable system will run continuously through the existing 4×4 posts for added support and a clean finish,” the art council’s proposal details.

Once the ramp is completed, Mullis said that her team intends to do some landscaping work around the new structure to brighten up the space.

The Berlin Historic District Commission unanimously approved the Worcester County Arts Council’s roofing and ramp improvement request.