The reconstruction of the town's Veterans Memorial Building has taken its first concrete step forward.

The Danville Town Council last night approved a $32,000 contract with Janus Corporation to remove hazardous materials from the facility.

The Concord firm submitted the lowest of 10 bids that were submitted.

Janus is expected to begin work next month and finish in June. Crews will remove asbestos, lead-containing paint, PCB-containing light ballasts and mercury-containing light tubes and electrical switches.

The removal work is the first phase in the estimated $6 million renovation of the 85-year-old veterans building.  Bids are now being accepted for the construction phase.

The new veterans building will be a 13,000-square-foot facility that will replace the existing 6,300-square-foot complex.  The two-story portion of the building facing Hartz Avenue will be preserved and renovated.  The one-story auditorium will be demolished and replaced by a facility that includes a community hall, classroom, meeting room and office space for the city's senior programs.

A ceremony honoring the building will be held at noon on May 1.