Board sets hearing on purchase of 2 Farms Village Road to house in‑district therapeutic school program

The Board of Finance on Jan. 21 voted unanimously to set a public hearing for Feb. 18 on the town’s proposed purchase of property at 2 Farms Village Road as the site for an in‑district therapeutic program for students with complex emotional disabilities.

The board’s action set a public hearing to consider a supplemental appropriation not to exceed $1,000,000 (the Board of Selectmen previously authorized a not‑to‑exceed $1,000,000 appropriation to move the purchase toward contract). Presenters from the Board of Education and finance staff told the board the full cost of purchase plus renovations and start‑up is currently estimated at about $1.6 million; the Selectmen have negotiated a purchase price of $6.25 (thousand? — see clarifying details) and are discussing pre‑closing renovation work by the seller. The presenters said some renovation items are still being negotiated and that final contract details will be shared at the public hearing.

Why it matters: The Board of Education is proposing an in‑district, clinically supported program to reduce the town’s growing out‑of‑district special‑education tuition costs and to educate students closer to home. Presenters said the change could contain rising tuition costs and reduce long‑distance student transportation.

What presenters told the board - Purpose and need: Katie Crystal (director of pupil services, Board of Education) outlined a cohort of approximately 15 secondary and high‑school students with “complex emotional disability” profiles who are currently placed out of district, plus roughly 40 total out‑of‑district placements across categories. Crystal said out‑of‑district tuition has been rising sharply and that the town had seen “as high as over 20% tuition increases in the course of 1 year.” - Tuition and program model: The board of education and finance staff proposed setting an in‑district tuition fee of about $70,000 per tuition spot. Presenters contrasted that with current local out‑of‑district tuition of about $96,000 per student (including transportation) for some placements. The proposed program would be phased: year 1 uses existing staff and serves a small group; year 2 adds a second classroom and seeks 1–2 tuition students from other districts; year 3 would grow to 4 classrooms serving 20–25 students with capacity for roughly 10 tuition slots. - Costs and payback: Amy Merriweather (finance director) presented financial assumptions: a combined cost for purchase, immediate renovations and first‑year start‑up of roughly $1.6 million; if the board and districts capture cost containment as projected, Merriweather estimated a payback period in the 5‑ to 5.5‑year range on the purchase (the presenters showed a model where annual program and operating net cost containment reaches several hundred thousand dollars by year 3). Merriweather also said the town faces a near‑term choice on funding: the Board of Selectmen approved a not‑to‑exceed $1,000,000 appropriation for the purchase; an additional ~$600,000 of work (to reach the $1.6M estimate) would likely be funded through the upcoming capital/budget process and could go to referendum as part of the FY26 budget if needed. - Capacity and staffing: Presenters described a staffing model that includes teachers, paraeducators, clinicians, a contracted psychiatrist and related services (speech, etc.). Crystal said the model is designed to create a “community” for students that allows many to be educated locally and to practice skills in a smaller, structured setting.

Board concerns and due diligence Members pressed for clearer breakdowns of renovation bids and asked that the town obtain competitive pricing for major items (painting, fire alarm, elevator or lift). Town staff said the purchase contract was negotiated to have certain seller‑performed work completed pre‑closing as a condition of sale; the Board of Selectmen authorized a purchase with some pre‑closing work up to the $1,000,000 figure. Staff said they will provide detailed breakout of pre‑closing versus post‑closing work and will obtain competitive bids for any post‑closing contracts (work over $100,000 is subject to prevailing‑wage and public‑bidding rules as applicable). Town legal counsel and the building official will also review final contract scope and inspections.

Funding path and next steps - The board voted to set a public hearing Feb. 18; the vote was procedural and did not approve the full $1.6M expenditure. Merriweather and the town manager told the board the Board of Selectmen’s not‑to‑exceed $1,000,000 action is the recommendation before the finance board at this time; the remaining ~$600,000 would be requested through the FY26 capital plan or a special appropriation if timing required. - Town staff said the project and seller negotiations were ongoing and that a public webpage and materials would be posted in advance of the Feb. 18 hearing; staff will present a final, line‑item budget and any contract clarifications at that hearing.

Action taken: The Board of Finance voted to set a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025, at 5:45 p.m. in the Town Hall main meeting room to receive public comment on the proposed supplemental appropriation related to purchase of 2 Farms Village Road. The motion carried unanimously.

Ending: Board members praised the proposal’s potential to reduce long‑term tuition growth and bring students into local programming, and they asked for firm pre‑closing scopes, competitive bid comparisons and a clear funding plan for the $600,000 remainder before final approval.