School Committee moves to surplus Peabody School; Select Board to draft warrant article to accept custody

The Select Board authorized development of a town-meeting warrant article on Feb. 10 after the Concord School Committee voted to surplus three parcels associated with the Peabody School. Town staff said the School Committee plans to recommend transfer of care, custody and control to the Select Board so the town can determine future uses and manage the property.

Carrie and facilities staff presented preliminary carrying-cost estimates for maintaining the vacant building. Staff cautioned that the elevator is operating on a borrowed part and a permanent repair would cost roughly $30,000; absent that repair, the building’s use would be limited to the first floor. Staff recommended modest near-term occupancy to provide a town presence and deter vandalism while longer-term planning proceeds. An insurance estimate was pending and legal costs to effect transfer were discussed; town counsel suggested a conservative legal estimate of $5,000 for transfer paperwork.

Board members asked staff to clarify maintenance responsibilities for the Peabody playing field and confirmed funding and timing for short-term carrying costs will be addressed in forthcoming warrant language. The board voted to instruct staff to prepare the warrant article for the transfer and to return with a recommendation on funding the carrying costs.

Ending: Staff will prepare a warrant article for a future town meeting to transfer care, custody and control of the Peabody School parcels to the Select Board and will return with a recommendation on funding and next steps for building maintenance and potential reuse planning.