On April 21, which was Green Up Clean Up day, Madison residents looking for a way to spruce up their community found the ideal subject: the long-empty Academy School.

As town officials and residents debate what to do with Academy, the building and grounds have continued to deteriorate. The dilapidated appearance of the school is not lost on residents; many commented at the numerous public hearings that the poor state of the school is not the first thing people want to see when they come into the downtown area on Boston Post Road.

At a recent Board of Selectmen meeting, a few residents asked if they could clean up the grounds and try to brighten up the entrance of the building. Selectmen said residents were welcome to do so.

Resident Roz Fahey, a member of the Save Academy group, said about 25 Madison residents stopped by throughout the day on April 21 to help with the clean up effort. Residents painted the front doors, railings, picnic tables, doors, and plywood currently covering some of the smashed in windows. Tarps filled with leaves, brush, and trash were hauled away by the dozens.

Fahey said it was great to see so many people help out and thanked local businesses including Ring’s End, which donated all of the paint for the project, and Jay and Donna Santoro of Madison Flower Shop and Garden Center for donating flowers.