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At a Standstill

The Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) is disappointed that after three years of meetings and discussions with the Town of Madison, countless hours of work, and thousands of dollars, we’re at a standstill. At the Board of Selectmen (BOS) meeting on April 18, the three Republican selectmen voted down the recommendations of their own appointed committees to fund initial services under the architect’s agreement to assess current conditions and provide reliable base building estimates, information the town requires for any use, even mothballing, of Academy School with any party. The same three members voted against extending the SAA letter of intent. Clearly they don’t support the cultural arts center project and are derailing it before it gets to public vote. In the meantime, Academy School, a historically and architecturally significant building considered a treasure, sits vacant and deteriorating for more than a decade.

The BOS spent 10 years on studies and reports, appointed an ad hoc committee devoted entirely to “what to do with Academy School,” and in 2012 voted unanimously to retain ownership. There were many reasons, including economics: selling the property wouldn’t result in a significant long-term financial benefit to the town and once it’s gone, it’s gone. For more than 100 years, town leaders recognized the need to preserve Daniel Hand’s legacy in bequeathing Academy School to the town for public service and the value of protecting this area of the town. It’s not by chance there’s no commercial or multi-residential around the Green.

SAA remains committed to its agreement with the BOS to lease Academy School (not the ball fields) and raise funds to renovate and develop it into a cultural arts center that will serve residents and bring economic benefit to Madison’s commercial center.

I encourage your readers to voice their support. Let’s save Academy School!

Kathryn L. Hunter, Board member

Shoreline Arts Alliance