Committee explores purchase of 3‑acre parcel adjacent to North Street Elementary
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Superintendent and town administrator told the committee a 3‑acre parcel next to North Street Elementary is back on the market; they described the typical town process for purchase (select board interest, assessment, May town meeting authorization) and said the property could serve parking, a second entrance or future limited expansion.
GRAFTON — The School Committee discussed interest in a three‑acre parcel of land that abuts North Street Elementary, with staff urging further review and coordination with the select board.
Doctor Cummings said he and Town Administrator Evan Broussard had reviewed the property and that the town administrator had signaled interest in pursuing a purchase and sale agreement. Cummings said the parcel was on the market previously, was taken off the market and is now available again. He described potential uses — a second entrance, parking and modest site improvements — but cautioned that the lot’s topography (a back hill) would limit large expansions.
Cummings outlined the next steps he understands the town will follow: the select board would consider whether to pursue a purchase and sale agreement; if interested, the property would be assessed (the town cannot pay over assessed value), and the select board could, if still pursuing it, place an article on the May town meeting warrant for authorization. A committee member said an online listing showed an asking price near $400,000 but Cummings said the figure should be verified through assessment.
No committee vote was taken; members generally supported exploring the option and asked staff to continue coordination with the town administrator and select board.