131-year-old Town Hall starting to show its age.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Patty Lawrence-Perry

BRIMFIELD - Structural damage to the now-closed Town Hall may be worse than originally thought.

Building Commissioner Jack M. Keough said an engineer has found a second area of concern above a set of double doors that lead to the Great Hall on the main floor. Also causing concern is an area inside the Great Hall.

The 131-year-old building was closed by Mr. Keough March 6 after an inspection disclosed a main structural beam over the Great Hall was unsafe.

The Town Hall houses various town departments, including the Police Department, town clerk, the cable television studio and meeting rooms for town boards.

In an emergency selectmen's meeting Monday night, Mr. Keough said the Police Department could probably safely use its offices, which are in the lower back portion of the building. Selectmen, though, decided not to take that risk. Officials said temporary housing will be sought...