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Residents press Onancock council for clear plan, engineering review before town aid for Historic Onancock School
Summary
Multiple residents and Planning Commission members urged the council to require an engineering report, a clear repair budget and competitive bids before the town commits funds to the Historic Onancock School; the council agreed to keep discussing funding options at a future meeting.
Residents and some commissioners urged the Onancock Town Council on May 19 to withhold financial support for repairs at the Historic Onancock School (HOS) until a detailed engineering assessment and a repair budget are available.
During council discussion, Town Manager Matt Spuck said he was asked to present options for how the town might help raise funds or otherwise assist with repairs. Councilmember Maphis Oswald noted the existing lease places repair responsibility with the leaseholder. Several public commenters echoed the need for an engineering report and for any repairs to be bid to professional contractors before the town should consider direct funding or assistance. Commenters raised alternatives, including the possible reuse of existing empty buildings on Market Street in place of investing in HOS repairs.
Margie Labadie, vice president of Friends of Onancock School (FOS), asked for council support for the nonprofit’s mission and said FOS is pursuing improved communication and programming. FOS’s executive director, Corey Kavulich, was named in public comments as actively working to expand programming and public information. Mark Sinclair urged the council to consider using an engineering report the HOS previously paid for rather than commissioning a new study costing an estimated $50,000.
Councilmembers did not approve funding at the May 19 meeting; they agreed to continue discussion at a future date and to schedule a special meeting in June to address ongoing projects and related matters.
If the council pursues financial participation, commenters asked that the town require full cost estimates, review of existing engineering studies, and competitive bidding for repairs before authorizing town funds.
