By Carol Britton Meyer

Voters at the Aug. 31 special town meeting will be asked to approve additional funding of up to $800,000 to cover increases in the cost of restoring the Fort Revere water tower.

The Fort Revere water tower was built in 1903 and is desperate need of repairs. [File photo]

The initial estimate for the rehabilitation of the tower ranged from $1.5 to $1.7 million. The May 2022 town meeting approved $2.2 million for the project. In the meantime, the cost – reflected in the three latest bids – has increased to an estimated $2.5 to $3 million.

“The scope of the project has not changed,” said select board member Irwin Nesoff, who attended Monday’s advisory board meeting during which the special town meeting warrant articles were discussed “The plan is to preserve, repair, and shore up the tower and to address any potential dangers.”

When advisory board member David Clinton asked “Why now?” rather than wait for the next annual town meeting, Nesoff replied: “Because as discussed at a recent select board meeting, the costs will only continue to go up.”

Clinton also asked the same question about some of the other warrant articles.

While understanding of that issue, Clinton expressed concern that the expected light attendance at the Aug. 31 meeting, due in large part to its being held during the summer, would mean that a smaller than usual number of voters who turn out for the annual town meetings would make this and other important decisions without wider participation.