School committee accepts Townsend’s fitness court gift, approves memorandum of agreement and authorizes chair to sign

The North Middlesex Regional School Committee voted July 29 to accept a fitness court as a gift from the Town of Townsend, to enter a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the town governing the gift, and to authorize Chair Lisa Martin to execute the MOA on behalf of the committee.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Reese briefed the committee, saying the town’s recreation department had secured the grant and that the town had reviewed a draft agreement with the district’s attorneys. “That agreement was shared with the town. They seemed open to it,” Dr. Reese said, presenting the draft agreement that would allow community use outside school hours.

A committee member read a motion citing the statutory basis for the gift: “I move that pursuant to general law chapter 71 section 37 a that the school committee accept the gift by the town of Townsend for an educational purpose consisting of fitness equipment on the condition that the equipment be available for use by Townsend, Pepperell, and Ashby residents outside school hours.” Michael Le Bossier moved to accept the gift and Lisa Bloom seconded; the roll-call vote recorded five yes votes and one no (Jackie White).

The committee then voted to enter the memorandum of agreement with the town and to authorize the chair to execute that agreement; both motions passed by roll call with Jackie White dissenting and the remaining members in favor. Dr. Reese said the town’s board of selectmen would also need to ratify the agreement on their side. The committee praised the quick progress on the agreement and the meeting proceeded to adjournment.