This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
01/11/2022 12:09 PMThe decision on the future of the Academy Building will now be made by voters in a February referendum. The final public forum on the matter was held last week, and though there was plenty of debate, the matter is now up for a simple “Yes” or “No” vote.
The town has been trying to get a proposal to voters for years. Consideration of a proposal, which has been slightly modified from a 2018 version, was delayed by the pandemic.
The $16 million Academy Building proposal will be part of a referendum that, as things stand now, will also include a vote on a $89 million School Renewal plan. It may also include a vote on the sale of the Island Avenue School property as well, if that proposed deal first receives approval from town officials.
The Academy proposal will divide up the more than 43,000 usable square feet of the building, providing most for public use as a community center, including a gymnasium that can double as a performance space and a 125-seat auditorium that town officials hope will generate revenue to offset operating costs estimated to be in excess of $350,000 annually.
The major benefits to residents, according to town officials and members of the Academy project committee members, are that:
• The plan preserves five acres of downtown space;
• The programming and events will benefit multi-generational residential concerns by providing more space for seniors and athletic and arts opportunities for students;
• The building will bring economic benefits for downtown businesses;
• The building will become self-supporting by offsetting operating costs with revenues;
• Madison Youth & Family Services will have entirely new and updated facilities to host its sensitive programming;
• A proposed geothermal heating/cooling system will dramatically lower the environmental conditioning costs, as proved by Scranton Library’s geothermal system, which has paid for itself far more quickly than anticipated.
Critics of the proposal cite the unrealistic expectations for revenue generation with the current design. However, the biggest concern for most taxpayers opposing this plan seems to be the cost.
One area of agreement is the fact that the Academy and School Renewal projects will be the largest and most costly bonding project in the town’s history, which combined will total more than $100 million, according to town officials.
Academy, at $15.9 million, has estimated costs to taxpayers would be $28 for every $100,000 of assessed property values for each taxpayer over the life of the bond, according to figures supplied by the town. The ultimate costs for both Academy and the School Renewal projects, are ultimately hard to quantify, according to Lyons, as the town expects that grants and other sources of outside funding can lower the estimate substantially if the town does in fact secure these alternate forms of funding.
Bill Stableford, who chaired the committee to explore the Academy project and is a volunteer and advocate for the community center, said he believes this is the right move for the town.
“A community center in the Academy building would provide Madison residents of all ages with opportunities to engage and participate in a wide array of social, cultural, educational, athletic/exercise, and commercial activities. It would also provide additional meeting space for town organizations,” Stableford said. “In combination with the Scranton Library at the other end of the Post Road, it would create a corridor of increased traffic and patrons for Madison’s downtown businesses. A community center would add to the overall attractiveness of Madison and it would very likely increase property values in town.”
According to Stableford, anyone with questions can locate extensive information about this project, including video recordings of the Public Information Sessions on Dec. 9 and Jan. 5, at www.madisonct.org/academyschool
The referendum was anticipated to be set at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Jan. 11 (after press time). Most town officials are expecting the board to pass the measure and to set the proposed referendum date for Tuesday, Feb. 15.