This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
02/22/2017 11:01 PMThere’s an action item at the end of this column, so please read all the way through!!
We dealt with the senior tax freeze and we navigated the referendum for the Scranton Library expansion and renovation. The time has come to deal with Academy School. My goal was to get the workshops underway in January, but realistically, there was so much going on that we felt it would get lost in the shuffle. While there continue to be other issues for discussion and contemplation, Academy School can’t wait any longer.
We have a group that has been meeting to discuss the issues around Academy and to engage a facilitator to run the workshops where we hope to outline the situation, discuss various alternatives with and among people in town, and elicit ideas and eventually consensus. That group includes our town planner, a current selectman and a former selectman, a member of the Historic District Commission, and a member of the Economic Development Commission. I think this group will show a respect for the building itself, a respect for the process, and an interest in moving forward on bringing life back into the building. This process has stalled for many years, I believe through indecision, and our mission is to find the right solution and do it this year. The facilitator’s job is to provide a neutral platform from which to start.
What should Academy School be? Right now it is a historic building that is deteriorating in front of our eyes by virtue of neglect, vandalism, and time. One question to answer is whether or not the town should invest our resources in the future of the building or let the financial responsibility pass to a private party. Another question is just what amount of property is involved? Academy School sits on more than five acres of prime real estate in downtown Madison. Should we be looking at just the building itself, or including any or all of that property?
Our first workshop will attempt seek input based on the fact that attendees will have had prior access to a list of “Frequently Asked Questions” (FAQs) that are now posted on the town website at www.madisonct.org/AcademySchool. Be sure to include the “www.” The webpage is not case sensitive so /academyschool works as well as /AcademySchool.
Please check them out. While you’re there, or maybe once you’ve had a chance to read through the FAQs, complete the survey, which will allow you to weigh in on the subject.
Please get involved. The future use of Academy School can have a tremendous impact on the health and wellbeing of not just downtown Madison, but our whole town. I tried to remain neutral in this discussion of the subject. In future communications, I will be much more willing to make my point for what I think is best.