Onancock council delays decision on 40-year loan for Historic Onancock School after probing public comment

The Onancock Town Council on Sept. 9 deferred action on a proposed 40-year loan to pay for urgent repairs at the Town-owned Historic Onancock School after more than an hour of public comment and council discussion.

Supporters from Friends of Onancock School (FOS) and many local residents urged the council to approve a USDA 40-year loan that FOS said would address a failing boiler and replace windows and electrical infrastructure. In a letter read to the council, the FOS board said local contractor quotes aggregated to $532,000 for the immediate work and that a 40-year USDA loan at a 4% interest rate would amortize to $26,882 annually; FOS proposed to pay half of that amount ($13,441) each year. The board added that FOS's current SBA/EIDL loan balance is about $59,047 and that FOS holds more than $140,000 in reserves.

"Why was this was done and who directed him to do it?" asked Kent Sudman, who said he had assisted FOS with furnace issues and questioned why a Bancroft Engineering visual inspection referenced in recent public discussion had been performed and who requested it. Several speakers, including Laura McGowan, Karen Belknap and Rick King, portrayed HOS as a community cultural asset that brings visitors and programming to town and urged the council to approve a financing plan to preserve it. Mark Sinclair asked the council to act promptly, saying earlier public controversy had delayed a pavilion project and increased costs by roughly $150,000.

Other speakers raised fiscal caution. Dr. Greg Felthousen said the issues at the school are substantial and warned of taxpayer liability; he said a 40-year loan might not be the best option and suggested spending reserve funds instead. Mary Clements, a council candidate and property owner, asked the council to require contractor estimates and full scope documents from local firms to compare with the Bancroft evaluation.

Council members diverged. Councilmember Maphis Oswald noted the project traces to 2007 and said asking the town for a 40-year commitment now is "unfair and unfounded." Councilmember Sarah Nock said she hoped the town could work cooperatively with FOS to accomplish urgent HVAC, electrical and window work to keep studios and shops operating. Councilmember Cindy Holdren supported the proposal as a reasonable deal for the town. Councilmember Joy Marino requested the prior three years of FOS income statements and five-year income projections before voting; Councilmember Paul Weitzel asked staff to obtain a roof-replacement quote so the full scope and costs were known. Councilmember Ray Burger urged the council to decide promptly to schedule contractors before cold weather.

After the discussion the council voted to table the financing request until the next meeting to allow staff and FOS to provide the requested financial documents and additional quotes. Town Manager Matt Spuck said the architect who previously worked on town projects recommended Bancroft Engineering and that Bancroft performed a visual inspection at no charge.

The council also discussed related items, including fence options around an oak tree and next steps for the parking-lot committee. The HOS loan request will return for further consideration once the council has the additional financial documents and contractor estimates it requested.