HANCOCK -- Directly in front of the handicap parking space behind Hancock's Town Hall, six stairs lead to the first floor of the historic building.
The only meeting room is on the second floor. And the restrooms? They're in the basement. Without either a ramp or an elevator, the building is a far cry from complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and has served as a library, meeting hall and school in the past. It was moved to its present location in 1975.
While the Greek Revival building contains many of the charms of the 19th century, it also lacks many of the conveniences -- and expectations -- of the 21st.
Town officials have made accommodations that are acceptable to the state, Select Board member Sherman Derby said. Major public meetings are held at Hancock Elementary School and if necessary, meetings can be moved to that location, though none actually have been in recent years.
Town staff also tries to make things easier. Any member of the public who is unable to get into the building to conduct business is met in the parking lot by the town secretary.
Now, the town has spoken, approving a warrant article at its annual town meeting earlier this month to explore options for building a new town hall. The motion, drafted by Fire Chief Mike Williams, directed the Select Board to appoint a committee of 10.
Central Berkshires A new town hall for Hancock? A committee will weigh options after vote at annual town meeting By Matt Martinez, The Berkshire Eagle 2 min to read
In her 21st year of being town clerk, Linda Burdick is now finding climbing down to the basement to use the restroom a bit cumbersome. Burdick also finds climbing up the stairs to the 1850 building's only meeting room also off-putting.
She said the building is hot in the summer and cold in the winter.
While she used to have her own office, she now shares that space with five people.
"We have a storage room downstairs and it's literally jam-packed," she said. "Lots of different departments are putting stuff down there: the assessor, the treasurer, the tax collector, myself. And it's a little rough."
Burdick would like her own office, preferably one with a locking door, where no one will go into her desk hunting for a pen in her absence.
At Wednesday's meeting, Brian Fairbank, who is the town's moderator, and retired developer Bob Smith both approached the Select Board to state their interest in serving on the town hall exploratory committee.
Derby said he wants to make sure the committee includes people who live on both sides of town. He also said he would need to check with town counsel about the committee's composition before finalizing choices.
The most likely spot to build a new town hall is behind the existing building, where the town owns a total of 132 acres.
Derby spoke of building a connector between the new and old buildings, adding that he admires the new and old construction at the town hall in nearby New Lebanon, N.Y.
He is considering placing all three Select Board members on the committee.
Derby is firm on one thing: He does not want to put Hancock taxpayers in debt.