image description — This Google maps snapshot shows the Cariddi mill on State Road and its relation to Greylock School.

Former Councilor Promotes Biggest School Option

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
03:59PM / Tuesday, February 21, 2012Print Story | Email Story

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The school building committee is expected to vote next week on which of the raft of school options the city should select.

Many believe that a new Greylock Elementary School is the obvious choice: The site is flat and needs minimal work, the children would not have to be relocated and it's the cheapest option.

The proposal would cost an estimated $27.7 million, with the city being responsible for $5.6 million. But it would only solve half the city's problem, which is to find an educational solution for 620 children in Grades K-7.

School building options:
	Renovate Conte
	Build a new Greylock
	Renovate Greylock
	Build a new Sullivan
	Build a new Greylock for 620 students
	Do nothing

Robert M. Moulton Jr., former city councilor, said he thinks the city shouldn't just settle for one school for 310 students but go for the bigger and more expensive 620-student school at the same location.

The key, he said, was the Cariddi mill on State Road. If the city bought and tore down the mill, it would provide more than enough room for a larger school, better access from State Road and greater distance from the surrounding residential homes.

"It's a beautiful site, it would take of the traffic," he said, but added he had not asked if the mill was for sale yet.

Moulton said he's going to present the plan during his weekly talk show with Ronald Boucher, "Let's Talk About It," on NBCTV tonight at 8. The show is broadcast live on Channel 17 and allows call-ins.

The cost of the larger school is estimated at $47.2 million, with the city's costs at $10.7, some of which is for the relocation of students. Moulton said money that would go to moving the children — $1 million to $2 million — could be used instead to buy and tear down the mostly vacant mill.

That plan would still require a Proposition 2 1/2 debt exclusion vote, but Moulton believes that city residents would support getting the school issue over and done for the next 30 years.

"I think people will go for it," he said.

Tags: school project,

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Residents prefer smaller neighborhood schools. A 620 school will require an override vote which he opposed the last time. There is concern about how close Conte is next to East Main Street. He wants to put a school on RT2 closer than Brayton. The cost of purchasing and tearing down the Carridi Mill will be $2-3 million not including removing any contamination in the groud. Why now? Where's he been during all the discussions?
from: 2Late	on: 02-21-2012 11:51PM I Agree (25) - I Disagree (6)

Bob I think you are wrong . An override will not pass. With the mayor giving out double digit raises and paying more for jobs than needed I guess tha city has lots of money. And how about the health care law he and the council refuses to act on and oh yes the money from parking meters that thay also do not want to act on . You idea is an idea but no thanks .
from: Wrong	on: 02-22-2012 08:56AM I Agree (15) - I Disagree (10)

Bob you are correct about one thing. Now is the time to buy the Coriddi building. Property in the area is selling cheep. A home in the same area just three block from a school is selling for $ 12500. So the Coriddis may want to dump the building before the property values drop anymore.
from: area	on: 02-22-2012 10:00AM I Agree (6) - I Disagree (11)

And what will you do with the bar that is located across the parking lot.
from: gene413	on: 02-22-2012 11:23AM I Agree (11) - I Disagree (3)

Hey Wrong, ok ok the horse is dead already; stop beating it! And Gene413 is there some rule that I'm not aware of that a bar has to be a certain distance from a school or that (to the others who voiced concerns) a certain distance from a main road? Aren't the kids in the school learning not out running in traffic and distracted by the bar next door?
from: Lila	on: 02-22-2012 01:54PM I Agree (4) - I Disagree (6)
Editor: We would note the bar already abuts school property. That wouldn't change.
I Agree (3) - I Disagree (7)

Here's some options. 1. Take the old registry/KK Home mart and possibly Ernie's Auto by eminent domain, there may be other home in area also needing to be taken. Build the 620 K-7 school in that area that incooperates the football field and softball fields so that Drury HS games can be played there on a turf football field with lights. Send all children east of Brown Street (inlcuding Sullivan school kids, close that school) to the new State Street School. 2. Close and tear down Brayton due to the mold and poor air cirulation it has or make that your preschool, head start, and alternative school or your west end school. 3. Make Greylock your west end school with all children west of West Brown Street attending there, with maintiaing Brayton as a the head start, alternative, and pre K- School and NAPS administrative offices. 4.If not then tear down Greylock school and the mills and create building lots that would generate tax revenue for the city in a very desirable neighborhood. Just some thoughts.
from: A different idea	on: 02-22-2012 03:36PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (20)

Bob The mayor would have a better chance of All 9 councilors telling the truth than passing an override.
from: Joke	on: 02-22-2012 04:51PM I Agree (14) - I Disagree (2)

A different idea Did you say Greylock is a desirable area ??? I agree but look at the last two home sales in the area. Both homes are within feet of the school. 1. $ 59,000 2. $ 12,500 ???? If this is the price of homes in a desirable area , what are they getting in areas that are not desirable ???? Property in the area is droping like the population. A school for 600 not needed.
from:	on: 02-22-2012 05:08PM I Agree (13) - I Disagree (3)

Bob, Are you crazy, or working as a real estate agent for Cariddi, thats a big Toxic dumpsite, and would cost the taxpayers millions of dollars just to clean up, then again maybe your running for Mayor? your buddy did it maybe its your turn now.
from: Out of Touch	on: 02-22-2012 06:51PM I Agree (22) - I Disagree (4)

I certainly don't see any of that area as desirable. I think its incredibly rude to suggest taking a persons livelihood by eminent domain (left over attitudes of the previous administration).
from: lila	on: 02-22-2012 08:48PM I Agree (7) - I Disagree (12)

To purchase and remove the mill could be $3 million on it's own. The clean up of contamination is unknown. It's going to cost $1.2 million to clean dirt in Adams becuase there was arsenic in a small portion of rail road ties. The chemilcals buried under and around that mill is not a bill the city should take on. That should be handled by the current owner or state and federal environmental agencies. Removing the mill eliminates any taxes the city receives on it. Rob is way out there on this one. Rob should ask Ron about the developer he had lined up for Conte to purchase it.
from: Ching	on: 02-23-2012 01:27AM I Agree (17) - I Disagree (4)

Worst Idea out there, Laughable!. The city can barely afford a school now. Why on earth would it take on a money pit piece of property filled with toxic waste? Talk about liability! Get real. Build the 610 pupil school at the current site of the Greylock school and be down with it.
from: Teenage Wasteland	on: 02-23-2012 11:38AM I Agree (16) - I Disagree (6)

Bob Not a bad idea . The mayor has the money to do the clean up . He just has to stop giving the money away to friends and city unions. NO OVERRIDE
from: money	on: 02-23-2012 03:25PM I Agree (5) - I Disagree (6)

Editor Do you really think the selection poll you have is accurate ?? Does the school committee get 5 votes for every 1 click ??
from: poll	on: 02-24-2012 09:01AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)
Editor: Of course it's not accurate. It's click poll.
I Agree (3) - I Disagree (0)

Bob is you believe this is a good plan than just show up on Wed. and say so. If you think it would work then tell everyone how. Stand Up.
from: stand up	on: 02-25-2012 01:25PM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (0)

Wow Cheshire just saved over $ 300,000 by using the Governors Health Care Reform Law ??? When is the mayor going to do the right thing for the taxpayers of the city and do the same thing ??? Are they until they are forced to do it under the law ?? This only shows that the mayor and city council are catering to the unions only and not the taxpayers. Wake up people .
from: $300,000	on: 02-27-2012 07:51AM I Agree (1) - I Disagree (3)