The Waldoboro Board of Selectmen approved sending out new requests for proposals for the A.D Gray school during a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26. Recently discovered structural issues altered plans by non-profit organization Volunteers of America to repurpose the building as senior housing.
All interested parties will need to submit proposals within 90 days, using the existing memorandum of understanding between the town and VOA as a reference.
While both Selectman Bob Butler and Selectman Jann Minzy remain hopeful about the VOA project, Butler said he feels a fiduciary obligation to explore other options.
Ben Vail, abutter and former principal of the school, said he wants the issue addressed earlier than the town’s next annual meeting in June 2022.
Vail said the centerpiece of both referendums on the building was senior housing. While he knows there is a sentiment among Waldoboro residents to save the building, Vail wants to see the demolition of the building approved.
“It’s disrespectful to let it fall into disrepair,” he said. “Eventually, you have to do what you need to do.”
Resident Freeman Zausner spoke in favor of due diligence. He said he wants to be sure, given the new circumstances of the site, that VOA’s plan for senior housing is still the best use. While he said the odds are that VOA is still the right partner, “that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t go through the process.”
Selectman Will Pratt said he is inclined to look at all options.
“The building has to come down, we know that,” he said. And he wants to find the proposal that is the most fair to the residents of Waldoboro.
The board also approved making a request for proposals for the Friendship Street School. The Midcoast Maine Community Head Start program that operated from the building terminated its lease and the building will be vacant, giving the town options on how to benefit from the space.
According to Town Manager Julie Keizer, Head Start is not abandoning Waldoboro, but it is unable to open in its physical location due to ongoing staffing issues.
Several Waldoboro families relocated their children to the Newcastle location and others are taking advantage of the new one-on-one in-home model.
A Fill the Emergency Vehicles drive-thru toy collection will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27, at the town office. Waldoboro EMS is asking for donations of new, unwrapped toys for children of all ages, or monetary donations to make the Christmas holiday special for families in need. Donations will also be accepted at the town office during regular business hours.
Thanksgiving turkey baskets are available for those who need them. Residents can call or sign up at the town office by Nov. 9. Keizer said they already received 30 requests in a single day.
The town office is also accepting coats and boots for children in need. Keizer said the community navigator just received a single donation of 30 free winter coats.
Absentee ballots are available at the town office. Polls will be open for in-person voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 2.
