HomeMy WebLinkAbout1981-10-281ASCC-min.pdf ADAMS SCHOOL CONVERSION COMMITTEE
Minutes of the Meeting of October 21, 1981
Present Anna Currin (acting chair) , Frank Fuery, Lillian MacArthur, Mary Lou Touart,
Hayg Boyadjian, Betty Levine, Laura Fisher; also Bea Phear, staff
Anna Currin opened the meeting at 8 00 p.m.
1 The committee settled on dates Weekly meetings Wednesday evenings
at 8.00
2 There was discussion of leasing versus sale Laura is opposed to sale
as we have to look at the property in a longer time frame and possible
future need Lillian, Hayg, and Mary Lou all agreed, considering that it
is in an excellent location if there is need for a future school or for
another use such as a transportation site Frank took the opposite
view, saying that the goal is the best use for the neighborhood If
we lease, we might lose these good tenants and be faced with commercial
prospects
Betty pointed out that we also have to consider the responsibility of
tax stability, and if we sell to a school, there is no regular source
of revenue Also, the question of impact on town services for the
various alternative uses should be explored She felt that revenue
production does not necessarily imply an ugly site It was felt that
anyone who would put money into the building would need a long lease
3 Hayg then asked about the charge Were the considerations listed in
{ order of priority? What does "tax stability" mean? Betty said she
thought it meant in relationship to the cost to run the town, that
there should be an effort not to raise the burden on other tax payers
as a result of the decisions regarding Adams No one knew if the
selectmen had intended prioritizing the considerations
4 Option for use
Frank felt that in talking about impact we should address quality of
life, and there are not that many options for the building Betty
said there is a dearth of professional office space and sales-type
offices such as travel agencies Anna said she questioned the future
need for schools with changing educational patterns such as TV Mary
Lou pointed out that Adams has some large spaces inappropriate for
office or residential Betty said office use could have seminars
and physical fitness in the auditorium and gym. Frank thought
seminars implied a huge traffic impact
Hayg felt that the impact of a school is probably best among the
ones that we know Housing didn't work because of neighborhood
opposition regarding traffic and playground
-2-
Frank said he is fearful of setting out a newspaper ad since we
haven't come to a decision He feels that commercial use has no
place in that site This is such a pivotal mass of space that we
in conscience can't recommend commercial as it would become Route
1 in Saugus Even housing would be preferable
Laura said she's not sure that many housing units are any cleaner
than one commercial tenant Mary Lou pointed out that the railbed
may also be useful someday
The committee agreed that it was premature to put out an advertise-
ment.
5 Anna called for comments from citizens
The speakers were largelp in favor the the Waldorf School as a
user One said he was disappointed that much of the discussion
revolved around dollars when we have other land that is revenue
producing and the people come to meetings expressing their values
Last year' s committee didn't take the emotional issues into con-
sideration, and this is not the same as a normal conversion as
they have the people to come out for the vote.
The Historical Districts Commission representative is concerned
about the exterior appearance, and would like the district expanded
to include the school This would require going to Town Meeting
and the Legislature
The committee responded that they are indeed considering local
values, but there is also a responsiblity to the whole town to
explore all options thoroughly
The meeting adjourned at 9-50 p m.
Respectfulllyjy submitted,
Beatrice Phear
AGENDA ADAMS SCHOOL
CONVERSION COMMITTEE
October 21, 1981
1 Dates for meetings through November
2 Discussion of Alternatives for use
a Sale (building and/or land)
b Lease A
c Function
1 Housing
2 Commercial
3 School
3 Discussion of newspaper advertisement
a Specific or general