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Select board, budget committee debate selling Sabattus primary school; potential $600,000 upkeep cited
Summary
Members discussed whether to keep or sell the town’s primary school, possible warrant language for sale, bidding rules and a cited estimate that keeping the building could cost the town more than $600,000 in maintenance; warrant language and bidding conditions will be drafted by counsel.
Select Board and Budget Committee members debated whether the town’s primary school should be sold or retained, and what voters should be asked on the June warrant. The groups discussed three linked questions: whether to put the sale before voters, whether to sell to a nonprofit or for taxable development, and, if voters keep the building, how much it will cost to maintain.
Why it matters: A decision to sell or keep the primary school affects long‑term town liabilities, tax impacts and the capital budget. During the workshop members repeatedly cited an estimate of roughly $600,000 to maintain or rehabilitate the building if the town retains it, though no detailed breakdown was presented in the meeting.
Discussion points: The chair and several members said that if voters choose to sell the school, the town should place reasonable bidding conditions in the warrant (ability to accept or reject bids; proof of purchaser financing; 90 days for closing). Members discussed whether to direct counsel to write specific verbiage for the warrant or allow the committee charged with the sale to propose the language. Several participants urged realistic bidding deadlines and standard protections such as the town’s right to accept or reject offers.
Claims and validation: One participant stated that keeping the building would require "600 plus thousand" dollars; participants agreed that number should be presented to voters as part of the decision context. No capital plan with line‑by‑line costs was produced during the workshop; the figure was treated as an estimate and the group asked staff to clarify exact costs before finalizing warrant materials.
Next steps: Board members instructed legal counsel to draft warrant language that would allow sealed bids, require proof of funding from bidders, and set reasonable possession and closing timelines. Final budget worksheets and the drafted warrant will be finalized for the June town meeting.
Ending: The committee agreed to present the warrant wording and final numbers to voters in June after counsel prepares language and staff compiles cost estimates for maintaining the building.
