ATHOL — The massive renovation project at Town Hall took a step forward last weekend when the new cupola was installed.

The 13-foot-tall spire and copper cupola arrived last week and were placed over the weekend, according to Town Manager Shaun Suhoski. It’s expected that repairs will be completed next year, in time to mark the building’s centennial in June.

The structure, which is 100 years old, has been undergoing repairs since last year, after Town Meeting approved a $825,000 debt exclusion of Proposition 2 ½ for the repair work in 2020. Suhoski said that the project was methodically done and it’s exciting to see it come to fruition.

“The cupola that is 100 years old, is rife with lead pint and asbestos—pieces were falling to the ground,” said Suhoski.

The replacement cupola is just one of four projects related to Town Hall. Suhoski said that last year the building’s roof was replaced, and repairs to the skylight and historic clock will be completed after the cupola is done. The old clock has already been removed from the tower, refurbished and given to the town’s Historical Society.

“We have confirmed that the restoration is well past 50 percent,” said Suhoski of the remaining portions of the project.

The project manager for the project is D.A. Sullivan & Sons of Northampton. The new cupola was created by Campbellsville Industries of Campbellsville, Kentucky. Suhoski said a number of options were looked at, including simply repairing the structure, and Campbellsville Industries was heavily-researched. The company has done work on steeples and cupolas at several churches and government buildings.

“When we saw the parts delivered, you don’t realize when you’re on the street how big the structure is,” he said. “This points to a long-term project, one that will stand the rest of time.”

Max Bowen can be reached at 413-930-4074 or at mbowen@recorder.com.