RSU 52 lays out plan to buy 18-acre parcel for athletic fields and bus facility; residents press safety, traffic and environmental concerns

At the RSU 52 / MSAD 52 board’s 17th regular meeting the board opened a public hearing on a proposed purchase of an 18‑acre parcel, described by Superintendent Carrie as “right nestled between Cobb Road and North Parish Road,” to add two multi‑use athletic fields and a transportation facility for the district.

Superintendent Carrie said the district currently operates 24 buses and 18 vans and that the transportation office and fuel storage are now inside the high school campus. She told the board the diesel tanks on the current site are approaching end of life and that “March 2027” is the point the district expects it may not be able to continue using them without repairs or replacement. Carrie said the FY27 budget includes a $500,000 reserve-account line that the board could use for a land purchase if that reserve is approved, and that voters will see a separate ballot question on May 21 about buying the parcel in addition to the school budget ballot.

Residents at the hearing raised safety and environmental concerns. Marina Wadsworth asked whether diesel and gasoline tanks would be sited “near the river,” and board and staff representatives said an engineering firm has evaluated the property and that state rules about proximity to water would guide final siting; staff said designs would keep tanks away from water and that the board does not plan to spend on detailed site design unless and until the district owns the property. An engineer at the meeting said more permitting and secondary containment requirements would apply if tanks are located near a regulated waterway.

Other speakers highlighted traffic, parking and neighborhood impacts if the site becomes an event venue. Multiple residents asked whether two additional fields and parking could fit alongside storage for 24 buses and 18 vans; board members said conceptual overlays indicate the uses could fit but emphasized that final design, screening, parking layouts and stormwater controls are unresolved and will go through further public and planning‑board review. Board members also said they will coordinate with the town manager and the state Department of Transportation on intersection improvements at the nearby “Jimmy’s” intersection, where parents, students and officials said crossings already raise safety concerns.

Supporters said the parcel would relieve intense pressure on existing fields and benefit several sports. Turner resident Calvin Rink said the site would provide a centrally located space “where kids can play” and reduce travel burdens for families and programs such as the growing youth lacrosse teams.

Board staff also noted planning work underway: the district has hired consultants to assess fields and architecture firms are budgeting preliminary fees to support schematic work (a $76,280 architectural quote for fields and related building work was discussed during finance committee reports). Officials emphasized that the May 21 ballot would only authorize the purchase; any decisions about field layout, bus storage location, fuel‑tank design or construction would come later and require additional design, permitting and public hearings.

Next steps: voters will see the land‑purchase question on the May 21 ballots at town offices (the superintendent said hours will be 11 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4–7 p.m. at town offices). If voters approve the reserve‑fund use, the district plans further design, environmental review and public engagement before any construction or siting decisions are made.