HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981, Adams School Conversion Committee charge 1 ' ,�� /?'i
SELECTMEN'S MEETING
May 5, 1981
An informational meeting of the Board of Selectmen with the residents
of the Adams School area was held in Estabrook Hall, Cary Memorial Build-
ing, on Tuesday, May 5, 1981 at 7 30 P.M Mr Crain, Mrs Miley, Mr Politi;
Mr Hutchinson, Town Manager; Mrs Banks, Assistant to the Town Manager;
Mrs Snow, Principal Clerk were present
Mr Crain, acting as chairman, opened the meeting and explained its Adams School
purpose as follows: The Selectmen plan to appoint another Committee to Info Meeting
view the ultimate disposition of Adams School with particular emphasis on
neighborhood concerns compatible with Town goals The Selectmen intend to
provide a balance of representation on any designated committee to represent
all points of view The immediate site has been a concern (approximately 2
acres for building and parcel to be conveyed subject to its ultimate purpose)
He listed concerns as neighborhood compatibility, traffic, access and
egress, protection of recreational property, compatibility with Town goals
Maps of the area have been prepared The gross square footage of the build-
ing is approximately 38,000 square feet
Mr Crain requested input on views and concerns of those gathered regard-
ing the use of the property This information will be transmitted to the
full Board prior to defining a set of guidelines and appointment of the new
Committee
II/ In response to questions about the formation, function and procedures
of the Committee as compared to the previous School Sites Conversion Commit-
tee, Mr Crain repeated that the Board would first define parameters and
guidelines and then people the Committee in a way that can be responsive to
those parameters It would be a completely new, not an additional committee
for Adams School He noted that the response from the neighborhood in oppo-
sition to the recommendations of the precious committee and the fact that the
Board was not in agreement with the Committee's output have prompted this
step
Pat Swanson suggested that more options should be examined in the next
procedure and that the feasibility of leasing for office space should be
looked at more carefully as a source of a great deal of revenue for the Town.
Selling should be considered but she considers leasing to be more flexible
than sale
Frank Fuery referred to the concerns listed at the outset of the meeting,
particularly "neighborhood compatibility" He felt as a nearby resident,
that the only compatible use would be that of a school Traffic and parking
from either commercial or housing use would, in his view, impact the area
severely and constrict the use of the only recreational area available to
the residents of the vicinity
Joan Wall felt that encroachment of parking on the heavily used play-
ground and access would occur, that use of the playground for recreation
would be in conflict with housing use of the building and that the traffic
impact from any but school use would be heavy She asked that the school
use be allowed to continue