Friday, December 16, 2011

Town Meeting for Accepting Land Gift


Thursday 12/22 at 7:00 in the New Town Hall Meeting Room we will hold a Special Town meeting to discuss and decide whether to accept an offer of 100+ acres to the Town. You can view photos I took during inspection of the property here: 

https://picasaweb.google.com/107897503286520535906/WintechogProperty12311?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPfHr-3qzJLYCw&feat=directlink

Included in the photos are some shots of miscellaneous trash and buildings which will need to be cleaned up or demolished should we decide to accept the land. Having walked the property, however I can tell you the amount of debris is minimal and the condition of the land is quite good. There will be maps and background info on the parcels available at the meeting to facilitate discussion. Please plan to attend.

The Ad Hoc School Building Committee continues to work on developing the School Building Feasibility Study. A preliminary schedule reviewed last Monday night proposes a Community Presentation and Planning Workshop in mid-February with a final report in mid-March, followed by a series of public presentations in March and April. Then depending on the sequence of Town Commission and Board reviews, a public hearing might be held in early May with an eye to going to a referendum in early June. To be included in the 2011-12 State’s review for funding consideration, any approved building project must be submitted to the State by June 30th.

As you probably read in the papers, Wednesday night saw the Board of Education deadlock on a resolution recommending a direction for maintaining and improving the current school facilities in support of the Wheeler education program – in essence taking the option of closing Wheeler and outsourcing the high school students off the table. Consequently BOE has more discussion and work to do in reaching a final resolution. In the meantime though, please weigh in with your concerns and perspectives – contact your BOE members and advise them of your desires concerning this important issue.  

Thursday, the Economic and Development Commission interviewed one of four consultants they are considering to award a bid for developing an economic development plan for the Town. The remaining three consultants will be interviewed next Monday, December 19th at the Senior Center starting at 6:00 pm.  This project will be a crucial input to the revision of the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development which we are undertaking between now and 2013. If you are interested in helping to shape the future of the Town and have suggestions for crafting a vision, your participation is encouraged.


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