I would like to share with my fellow town of Winslow taxpayers my opinion of a vote taken in the late spring by the Winslow Town Council concerning the future of the old Winslow Junior High building (“Proposal to sell old Winslow Junior High School rejected again,” May 18).
About five years ago, a committee was formed to study the possible uses for this building and property. Delayed somewhat by COVID restrictions, this committee had been tasked with finding a buyer for this building and property or demolishing the building.
Kennebec Valley Community Action Program was chosen as the viable and potential buyer. KVCAP has been doing great work in our communities for many years and has an outstanding track record. This group rehabbed the Gerald Hotel in downtown Fairfield, creating senior housing while retaining the integrity of the building and its history. KVCAP proposed to buy the Winslow Junior High from the town of Winslow for $1 and take on the entire responsibility of all renovation costs. Their plan was to create 41 affordable senior housing unites that would fit the needs of our aging population.
In addition, this property would go from nontaxable to a tax-paying entity. The town of Winslow and its taxpayers would be spared the expenses for a $50,000 environmental impact study, architectural plans, and the approximately $14 million to rehab this building.
On the other hand, if the Winslow Town Council decided to turn down the KVCAP offer and choose a plan to retain ownership of the old Junior High and demolish it, the cost to the taxpayers would be anywhere between $500,000 and $1,000,000.
The Winslow Town Council voted down the KVCAP plan, leaving the taxpayers to cover the cost of the environmental study and the possible demolition of the building. The final outcome: a very expensive vacant lot!
Susan Morrill
Winslow
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