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Not a Mandate

At the April 10 selectmen’s meeting, the Academy School facilitator presented the findings of an online survey and workshop regarding potential uses of the Academy School Building. Although widely publicized, only about 1,000 residents bothered to participate. Even if this represents 1,000 property owners, that is still only 14 percent of the town.

About half expressed a desire to keep the building intact in one form or another. It’s not a mandate by any stretch, and based on the findings, there was no consensus for any use whatsoever. It was a worthwhile effort with an entirely predictable result.

So now what? What’s the downside to simply putting this abandoned building on the market? The new owner will need to do something with it in accordance with our zoning regulations, historic district requirements, plumbing code, fire code, building code, traffic and parking regulations, and septic requirements, etc. Isn’t that enough?

Tom Hansen

Madison