Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 OPTIONS | FROM PAGE 1 eration –Any future use – whether it be sale or short- or long-term lease – be presented in a public hearing with written notice provided to abutters, similar to the notice procedures used by the town’s Board of Appeals –That the committee has completed its task and the town moderator can disband it A vote of a Special Town Meeting last July created the five-person study committee to investigate the potential use for the Ballard School including, but not limited to, the use for Veterans Housing. Members of the Ballard School Study Committee (BSSC) consisted of Precinct 10 Town Meeting Members Martin Costello and Peter Manoogian. Representing the Board of Selectmen was Chair Anthony Cogliano and Vice Chair Corinne Riley. The resident neighbor was Wayne Carter, who resides on Greenwood Avenue. “Top Takeaways” from survey results A key part of the committee’s research and work included a survey of 14 potential reuse options developed by committee members. A total of 222 residents responded to the survey, in which they were asked to evaluate the options on a scale of 1 (would not support) to a 3 (would very much support). “The most preferred reuse option with an average score of 2.5 for both those living closest to the Ballard and those outside of the area was ‘reuse/conversion to a preschool or day care center,’” the Schools. Current uses of the other seven former school buildings are mentioned: Armitage Elementary School on Essex Street – converted by the Saugus Housing Authority into eight family housing units. Sweetser Elementary School on Lincoln Avenue – demolished by the Saugus Housing Authority; replaced by 28 units, eight of which are for the disabled. Cliftondale School on LinVARYING VIEWS: A special committee commissioned earlier this year during a Special Town Meeting gave 222 Saugus residents who live near the old Ballard School, as well as other parts of town, a chance to weigh in on what the town should do with the property. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) report noted in its “Top Takeaways” from its analysis of the survey results. “This top choice for both neighbors and non-neighbors is consistent with the fi ndings of a 2014 US Housing and Urban Development report entitled, ‘Vacant and Abandoned Properties – Turning Liabilities Into Assets.’ Within that report it is stated that ‘the most desired outcome is to quickly return a property to its previous use.” Other “Top Takeaways”: • Public uses are most fawww.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! vored by neighbors and nonneighbors. • Commercial-type uses are least favored by both groups. • The greatest variance in support is for Veterans Housing, which is least favored by the neighbors and has support among non-neighbors. Other popular choices among neighbors and nonneighbors responding to the survey were to tear down the school for a playground, to tear it down for a community garden, and to reuse it for a youth and recreation center or community center. The committee stressed that it was not advocating or promoting any option over another. “The BSSC was created to identify possibilities for reuse and to listen to and record the input of area residents,” the report notes. “We recognize that it was not within our authority to propose or even show favoritism to any one or several reuse suggestions. Ultimately any proposal for re-use must come from the administrative side of government,” it continues. “It is our sincere hope that this report along with its recommendations will be accepted. We further hope that our work will serve as a guide for future eff orts to re-purpose the Oaklandvale, Lynnhurst, Waybright, and Roby school sites.” Those four school buildings are expected to be relinquished by the School Committee back to the town, a result of the reorganization of Saugus Public Schools. How other old schools have been used The Ballard School lot is about 28,096 square feet, with the building encompassing 9,598 square feet. It is now one of eight buildings no longer used by Saugus Public coln Avenue – retained and leased to SHORE Collaborative, now M.E.G. nonprofit since 2007; Town Meeting rejected the sale of the building in 1986. Emerson School on Lincoln Avenue – converted to condominiums by private developers. North Saugus School on Water/Walnut Streets – converted to offi ces by a private developer. Felton School on Central Street – demolished; Saugus Senior Center built on site; public use. Evans School on Central and Denver Streets – leased by the Town of Saugus to Shining Stars Preschool; private use. Findings on reuse as housing As part of its research, the committee met with Laura Glynn, the executive director of the Saugus Housing Authority. “Ms. Glynn made it clear that there are currently no funding programs available to expand public housing,” the report notes. “Any funds held by SHA are strictly for maintenance and operations, not expansion.” Glynn told committee members that the greatest demand for public housing in Saugus is for family housing. The town OPTIONS | SEE PAGE 13 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 62 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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