A proposal to transform the Center School into a community destination with town office space and classrooms for the Hopkinton Center for the Arts received kudos from the Select Board at its meeting Tuesday night because taxes would not need to be raised.

Permanent Building Committee chair Dan McIntyre and Community Preservation Committee chair Ken Weismantel appeared jointly before the board to ask for direction regarding their strategy to finance the project, which McIntyre presented at a previous meeting. The plan is to retain and rehabilitate the 1928 structure and demolish the two additions in the rear.

“The Center School is a key building in the downtown area,” said McIntyre, “not only for its iconic look but also for its location overlooking the Town Common. It’s been witness to countless events on the Town Common for over 100 years. And we feel that by preserving that building and bringing it back to life with people and activities, it can only serve to enhance the Town Common, and by extension the entire downtown.”

A new back entrance lobby and elevator were proposed to make the building accessible. There also would be a new parking lot and the potential for future expansion in the rear of the building.

Partnering with the HCA would allow the project to be eligible for grant funding and would alleviate some of the cost burden from the town, McIntyre added. Part of the project could be funded through Community Preservation Act monies. The Parks & Recreation Department and Youth & Family Services Department would be housed in the building, along with community meeting and activity space.

Weismantel explained that a request for $600,000 is before the CPC now that would fund architectural plans and stabilization of the deteriorating building from its reserves. But the CPC was reluctant to approve that request without assurance from the Select Board that the $10 million project would move forward within the next couple of years. The Hopkinton Center for the Arts would be responsible for raising $4 million in grants and donations.

Select Board members appeared enthusiastic about the proposal, especially because there would be no debt exclusion involved in financing the project. The CPC will consider the $600,000 request at its meeting next week.

New assistant town manager welcomed

The Select Board unanimously approved Town Manager Elanie Lazarus’s recommendation to confirm Lance DelPriore as its new assistant town manager.

DelPriore’s name may be familiar to residents, as he previously was a candidate for the Town Manager position. His most recent position was as the town engineer and assistant Department of Public Works director for Foxborough.

Members said his expertise would be welcomed, especially as the town considers connecting with the MWRA and working to resolve the PFAS issue in the water.

Boston Marathon bibs awarded

Due to the large number of requests, the Select Board decided to award one bib to each of the 41 nonprofits that applied. In addition, it voted to distribute five bibs to the Boston Marathon Committee, one to the Veterans Celebration Committee, one to the high school’s Business Professionals of America/robotics program, and two to the Senior and Disabled Tax Relief Committee because of financial need.

Order approved to form new Trails Committee

The board voted unanimously to approve an administrative order to create a new Trails Committee. It previously voted to disband the Trails Committee, also known as the Trails Coordination and Management Committee, along with the Upper Charles Trail Committee.

Former members of both committees and new members were encouraged to apply for seats.