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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-11-15-BOS-min 4179 ` SELECTMEN'S MEETING November 15, 1969 A special meeting of the Board of Selectmen was held in the Select- men' s Room, Town Office Building, on Saturday morning, November 15, 1969 at 8 30 A.M. Chairman Cataldo, Messrs Mabee, Kenney, Greeley and Bailey were present; also Mrs Petrie, Acting Clerk A joint meeting of the Appropriation Committee, Capital Expendi- tures, Planning Board, Permanent Building Committee and School Commit- tee was held to discuss the Lexington Academy property Present at this meeting were Austin W Fisher, Jr- Louis A. Zehner Logan Clarke, Jr Richard M. Perry Rudolph J Fobert Levy Burnell Vernon Page Jack Mitchell Eric T Clarke Edward E Furash Evert N Fowle Donald B White Erik Lund Donald M Graham Van T Boughton Bigelow Moore Thomas G Taylor Mr. Logan Clarke said the committee read Mr. Cole' s architect re- port and stated it was beyond the scope of what everyone considered In respect to cost, we all read this on pages 6 and 7 of the report. The Chairman asked Mr Clarke what his position was, to use it as a school? Mr. Clarke answered "nd' The Chairman asked, " is this School Committee vote"? Mr. Clarke replied, no, we will take one at next school committee meeting The Chairman asked about putting this building to another use. Lexington Mr Eric Clarke asked what price was considered if purchased for Academy a school . Mr. Logan Clarke said if we could acquire the building and land for $750,000. These figures appear on page 8 of the architect' s report If we were free to choose a location, this would be it; if the price on structure and land can be brought down to a point of $750,000 The Chairman said this is $200,000 less than the figure recom- mended in the report you would consider Do you need a school within the next five years? Mr Evert Fowle said we could use Munroe and Hancock schools or retire them The Chairman asked if they recommend we offer $750,000 for this school We have to have an answer today Mr Logan Clarke said the answer is "no" today The Chairman responded with that Dan Lynch is anxious for an answer 480 Mr Evert Fowle said to make an offer of $750,000 Mr Logan Clarke said he would like to see us acquire the prop- erty in the best interest of the community The Chairman said that he was opposed to acquire the property for new activity Mr Erik Lund suggested we go back to a price which we can acquire The Chairman said we should then make an offer of $750,000 or half a million. Mr Furash said the Appropriation Committee says unless for school use it should not be acquired Dr. Rudolph Fobert said the need for a school is not justified but in two or three years this may change Mr. Bailey said an offer of $300,000 and see if this figure will be accepted at Town Meeting Mr Logan Clarke said he cannot draw a picture of need right now Mr. Greeley said the report seems to say there is no sense of trying to use this for junior high problem Mr. Logan Clarke said this building is not to be used for a junior high school . Mr. Eric Clarke asked if it was possible to use it for Town Of- fice building until the school department needs and wants it. The Chairman answered "no',. Mr Eric Clarke said considering the future population of the town, with possible new low or moderate housing, 1 ,000 families or more will be coming in and there will be more children. Mr. Evert Fowle said we should make an offer for this property as it is very desirable The Chairman said setting it up for town offices, temporarily, is not worth it Mr. Evert Fowle said Monroe School is a completely inadequate school and should be replaced. Mr Austin Fisher said looking at priorities in the light of the town, the junior high school problem was number I Dr Rudolph Fobert asked what the possibility of leasing the property was The Chairman said he had asked this question, but the Sisters want the money Mr H Bigelow Moore said he thought we should make an offer rather than just saying, "no, we can't afford it" . Mr Greeley said we should not make an offer of price, but that for $500,000 or $750,000 we could talk business. Mr. Austin Fisher asked what the possibility was .of this prop- erty being purchased by private enterprise - meaning this would add to our tax base Mr. Eric Clarke asked what other use could this property be used v for The Chairman said, private school The Chairman said renting would be a mistake A lease purchase program would be fine. Mr. Edward Furash said as he sees it now, the committee cannot negotiate any further 481 Mr Evert Fowle said as for the asking price, he does not consider it insulting to go back and make an offer of $500,000. The Chairman will contact Dan Lynch to discuss the towns' position and send him a covering letter The meeting adjourned at 9 05 A.M A true record Attest Acting Clerk kr iv • 1 I