A Bad Plan
On Feb. 15, 2022, the people voted yes to securing up to $15.9 million in bonds to refurbish the Academy building into a community center. At the time, we were assured that grants would offset millions of this bonding, and in reality, the cost to taxpayers would be less. Grants are not meant to pay for overages. Here we are at May 2024, with no final cost or design. A committee has been working endless weeks, months, years, and we still don’t have a consensus on what can and can’t be built with the approved funds.
When one listens to the committee meetings, we learn costs have increased significantly and that basic items like a gym floor are no longer feasible. We learn that the necessary septic system improvement was never factored in and that the Town (taxpayers) would likely have to pay for this separately. We learn that an electric system overhaul was overlooked, the kitchen is no longer affordable, and there is no use or operating plan for the “working theater.”
Several property owners have organized to ask town leaders to pause, to review and disclose realistic costs for building and operation, and to put the entire project up for a revote. First Selectwoman Peggy Lyons has said no, that the project will be done as far as the approved funds can take us, and if it requires more money, it will be put to another vote for the overage only.
This is a bad plan. If you agree, we ask you to contact Peggy to help change her mind. There is also a petition at Nick’s Place and What’s Cookin’ that we ask you to please stop in and sign. Give us a chance to vote on realistic and complete costs before ground is broken.
Janet Nicolini
Madison