Town Hall Repairs Starting After Lightning Strike

Repair work will soon start on Exeter Town Hall, which was damaged in a fire earlier this year.

The building has been closed since the April 9 fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike.

The damage will be covered by Primex, the town's insurer.

Town Manager Russ Dean said the repair work will cost about $269,000. Work will start Tuesday, he said.

No timetable has been set for the building's reopening, though previous estimates have suggested 2-3 months.

The closing of Town Hall has affected several events this year. The annual Exeter UFO Festival, which is usually held there, was canceled this year after organizers said they couldn't find another venue as big as Town Hall.

The building sustained heavy water damage from fire hoses in the blaze. Water damaged the wood floor on the second story, insulation, and the first-floor ceiling. The floor and electrical system need to be replaced, Dean said.

The Exeter Arts Committee has a gallery on the second floor. None of the paintings were damaged in the fire.

Exeter Town Hall was built in 1855. It's a popular venue for politicians. Vice President Joe Biden came there last year, and former Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul launched his presidential campaign there in 2011.