CHESHIRE, Mass. — The request for proposals for the Cheshire Elementary school is complete and will be posted.
Town Administrator Mark Webber told the Selectmen on Tuesday that the RFP for the now-closed school will be posted and applications will be due May 1.
"It is completed," Webber said. "So there we go."
Since the school closed last year, the Selectmen have formed a committee to look at possible reuses for the building. After releasing a request for expressed interest, the town received applications from a dance school and an early childhood center.
The Selectmen believe both uses could exist at the same time in the building with the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District's central office that currently is in there.
Also in regard to the school, Webber said he originally programmed into the proposed fiscal 2019 a budget of $60,000 for the maintenance of the building but now thinks it may have to increase another $15,000 to cover additional insurance.
Francesconi said this may have to increase more because there is more repair work that must be done in the building.
"We have things to fix," she said.
Webber said he estimates this total amount may now be closer to $100,000.
"The $100,000 is not far off and it is what it is," he said. "You need some comfort in there."
In other business, Ben Girard, who wants to open a recreational marijuana dispensary at the former Country Charm Restaurant with his two brothers, also met with the board with a draft host community agreement.
He said the draft was written by the Girards' lawyers and includes the 3 percent excise tax to go to the town as well as the $5,000 quarterly payments the group had offered the town.
He asked the Selectmen to review the document.
"Obviously review it and ... if it comes to the point where you are comfortable with it you can sign it," Girard said.
Girard added that they still plan to hold the required public meeting in May at the Cheshire Community Center.
"We are definitely progressing, and we are very motivated … and we hope we can make this happen with the town," Girard said.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.
Your Comments
iBerkshires.com welcomes critical, respectful dialogue. Name-calling, personal attacks, libel, slander or foul language is not allowed. All comments are reviewed before posting and will be deleted or edited as necessary.
No Comments
Hoosac Valley School Committee Defends Budget
By Daniel MatziBerkshires correspondent
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The Hoosac Valley School Committee reaffirmed their support of the Hoosac Valley Regional School District (HVRSD) proposed $23 million budget.
On Monday night the school committee and school leaders defended the proposed school district budget that the Cheshire Select Board opposed at one of their own meetings in April. Dean backed the budget, which increased by $1,096,525 over this fiscal year, as being as fiscally responsible as possible.
"We're doing a lot of great work here, a lot of work that I'm proud of," Superintendent Aaron Dean said. "And I cannot in good conscience recommend doing anything other than moving forward with this budget."
During an April select board meeting, the Cheshire selectmen announced that they were hesitant to adjust their proposed municipal budget that included a level-funded HVRSD assessment.
The school district's proposed budget included a $148,661 increase to Cheshire's assessment.
The Cheshire selectmen voted to plan for a Proposition 2.5 override. If the HVRSD budget isn't lowered to their liking, the town will be poised for an override vote - essentially putting the school budget increase to a ballot vote.
Monday, Dean said he was confused why Cheshire took such a strong stance against the budget, especially after it had been openly discussed as far back as January.
Taylor Garabedian scored a team-high 22 points and grabbed five rebounds, and Abby Scialabba scored 16 points for the ‘Canes, who got 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists from Ashlyn Lesure. click for more
On Saturday afternoon at Lowell’s Tsongas Center, the Hurricanes will take aim at Division 5 State Championships in girls and boys basketball. click for more
Pittsfield High's Matt Dupuis and Lee's Bella Kotek Sunday completed a Berkshire County sweep at the State Bowling Championships at Bowlero.
click for more
Emily Holian’s strike to open the 10th frame of the Wildcats’ second game against Worcester Tech all but assured Lee a team title at Bowlero Chicopee.
click for more
Hoosac struggled to get into rhythm on the offensive end until Joey McGovern got the 3-ball working. McGovern finished the game with 21 points including a triple in the fourth quarter that cemented him in the record books. It took him nearly the whole game but he was able to join the 1,000-point... click for more
Pittsfield High's Eliza Mullen won state title and in the giant slalom and slalom, winning the former discipline by 1.6 seconds and the latter by nearly 2.7 seconds.
click for more