In Yesterdays News: VMS Building set for demolition Kimberly Petalas News Staff Writer #ASHBURNHAM — After learning that they had the right to, the Board of Selectmen voted in favor of accepting a bid to demolish the Veterans Memorial School building located behind Town Hall. Last autumn, at a Special Town Meeting, an article asking voters to support funding upwards of $75,000 for the razing of the building was approved, however, the custody transfer of the structure to the selectmen, although the majority voted in favor, did not pass and fell short of the two-thirds required. Records show the vote came in at 54-37. “We have recently been told by Town Counsel that we didn’t need to (seek voter approval for custody transfer of the building) ... we have the authority to demolish,” said Chairman Leo Janssens II. Last night the board voted to accept a bid of $42,980 from J.R. Vinagro Corporation for the demolition of the VMS building. “People always say it’s a tribute to our veterans,” said Mr. Janssens. “I’m a veteran and I’ve never looked at that building as a ‘thank you’ to me.” Selectmen Nick Davis, who is also a veteran, said he believes the demolition of the building is in the best interest of the community. “Committees have spent a lot of time looking at this,” he said. “The opinion is to tear it down, and not just our board, but most other boards. This is definitely in the town’s best interest.” At the annual town meeting last May, voters approved $50,000 for work that is well underway including the removal of fuel tanks and asbestos. While the tanks have already been extracted, Premier Abatement is currently working on completing the scheduled asbestos removal. The project, which was bid at $47,432, is expected to be wrapped up by the end of next week, although the town is also awaiting test results regarding the potential need for additional asbestos work specific to the structure’s roof. According to Mr. Janssens, after the building is demolished, the lot will become an expanded green space for Winchester Park.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Apr 2014 18:28:43 +0000