Let's cut to the chase this morning. the former Oxford/Rogers schools, what to do with the buildings? I have had numerous discussions with numerous people over the past several years. The suggestions have been many and at times quite unique.
One of the latest ones has been making them pot plants. Fear not, the chances of that are very slim, i.e. near impossible. There is still the every bandied "Town Hall" annex concept, which would be my preferred option for one of the buildings if it were financially feasible. Note the condition there please.
Some have proposed turning Oxford into a recreation center for the north side of town. Given the fact the one we have presently is not self-sufficient, that too is not likely.
There has been talk in the past of "giving" that building to the housing authority. That would not be a well thought out "gift" or even sale. But I digress a bit here.
"Sell them" though does seem to be a rising chorus. The handwriting on the wall for at least one of the two has pretty much spelled out that scenario,and if you have to be told which building, it would be Oxford.
Whatever happens to the buildings, in the interim we all await what to do with them. Preserving one or both, if that is the will of the Town, must come with a well thought out plan. It must come soon.
What the will of the Town will be is going to be extremely interesting on this one. Pre-elementary school building decision and debt exclusion battle I believe would have favored other avenues than what will probably be the eventuality. Post-vote and new school opening however seems to have shifted some perceptions.
The present is where we need to be focused however. So what should we do. Whatever we may feel those buildings are worth factoring in all the intangibles that this town loves to consider, commonsense should tell you FMV for the same is significantly less.
Memories may be priceless, but the brick and mortar aren't. Indeed, leaving out all the intangibles, looking solely at a bottom line perspective, and to truly insure the protection of the neighborhoods in question, logic might dictate certain actions that while logical, would cause an uproar.
I will keep you guessing on the course of action for the moment. Feel free though to offer your input on what to do. Something has to be done, we all know that.
Speaking of what we know ...
We all know what we individually think is wrong with government. How about three things we all think individually are correct? Can you come up with three?
Not only examples, but why?
Can you come up with three things you like about it, and why you like it? Let's try and think of the big picture here. Not solely personal. Three things about local government that benefit at least say 25% of the population at least indirectly no more than three degrees of separation.
If that's not enough to stir you up, and it probably isn't because positives are probably far and few between. here is something you could consider also: if the decision was up to you, and you alone, the top three cuts you would make in budgets, and why. To add just a bit of a twist here. Let us assume there was no financial need to make the cut. Leave personalities out of it.
I am continuing the open line format today. It seems a good way to keep people from trying to make it an open line.
Okay enough for today. What very little is here will have to suffice as enough.
Can you come up with three things you like about it, and why you like it? Let's try and think of the big picture here. Not solely personal. Three things about local government that benefit at least say 25% of the population at least indirectly no more than three degrees of separation.
If that's not enough to stir you up, and it probably isn't because positives are probably far and few between. here is something you could consider also: if the decision was up to you, and you alone, the top three cuts you would make in budgets, and why. To add just a bit of a twist here. Let us assume there was no financial need to make the cut. Leave personalities out of it.
I am continuing the open line format today. It seems a good way to keep people from trying to make it an open line.
Okay enough for today. What very little is here will have to suffice as enough.
Three positives about town government?
ReplyDeleteI've never had the need to personally address a board (except the School Committee, which I will not expand on, because I don't want to ruin my good mood today.) And for as often as I have paid my taxes, that's about the only purpose I've needed service in the town hall. My negatives about local government probably have more to do with personal issues than structural ones. Three 'positives' about local government:
1.) Town Meeting. For the majority of it's votes, Town Meeting has made fair decisions. Some years it's obvious that members have had personal agendas, but it seems for the most part, the group has overall represented the residents.
2.) Public Comment period. While there's still room for improvement in some areas, at least residents have a chance to come forward at meetings.
3.) Government Access Channel meeting broadcasts. All residents have an opportunity to stay informed at their convenience. It's amazing to me how many residents DO know what's going on because they watch the meetings.
What cuts would be made if there was no financial need to cut? I think the only way you're going to get an answer to that is if you start with a premise of cutting 'it.'
ReplyDeleteShould we continue building things that require additional man hours to maintain, for example, the bike path does? What's the value we place on it v.s. the hours and machinery to upkeep?
It's not what will be the cost for us to keep the two former schools in mothballs, but what's the value of the buildings to us v.s. what we will continue pay for them?
I think it's fair to say that everything has some value to someone. But just 'what' that value is, is the question.
I imagine you'll find the answers when you take out the scissors.
Is the school building committee looking at scenarios where the property may have more value without the buildings? If there was a town use for one or both of the buildings, do you know of a department with the funds to make them serviceable or maintain them for the future?
ReplyDelete