North Branch begins Phase III of Center Meeting House project

North Branch Construction, Inc. has begun Phase III of the restoration of the Center Meeting House. This phase will restore the bell tower steeple which was removed as part of Phase II of the construction. Once repairs are made, the steeple will be placed back on top of the roof. The building, constructed in 1832, is listed on the National Register of Historical Places, and in the past, has served as the town's primary venue for town meetings, religious services, cultural events and public gatherings. North Branch raised the building and replaced the foundation as part of Phase I in January 2007. Phase I of the project also included minor sitework associated with digging for the new foundation, as well as replacement of sills that had been damaged by rot over the years. Phase II, completed in 2008, included structural roof repairs, removal of the bell tower, re-roofing and flashing, miscellaneous trim and cladding restoration and selective exterior finishes. Phase III will be completed by the end of 2009. The committee is continuing with their fund raising efforts to enable the interior restoration and final exterior work to be completed at a later date.