Brooks Academy panel reviews bid schedule, historic rules and color restoration plans

The Brooks Academy & Museum Commission discussed timing and historic oversight for the building’s exterior restoration during its June 24 meeting, including a consultant schedule that estimates bids going out Sept. 11, 2026, and an optimistic completion date of June 15, 2027.

The commission’s chair said the bid and construction timeline was “fast” and emphasized that the commission and project manager should be consulted before visible site work begins. Members agreed to notify the select board with a brief update and circulate an improved public letter before work starts.

Members noted Brooks Academy is technically outside the town’s local historic-district boundary but agreed they still must coordinate with the historic commission for exterior alterations, specifically stairs and ramps. The group asked Sean, the project manager, and the architect to confirm whether the architect’s team includes a historic-preservation specialist and to flag any items that will require formal historic-commission review.

Paul, a commission member, urged the commission to research the Academy’s original paint scheme; he cited an 1844 narrative that references a lilac color on the front facade and asked staff to determine whether paint samples or archival materials can verify that shade. “If we felt strongly that we wanted to be authentic, we would have to work kind of quickly with Sean and the architect to get their opinion before they start slapping up white paint,” Paul said.

Members also raised a possible historic time capsule reportedly placed in the building’s northwest cornerstone in 1844. The group resolved to ask the architect and historical-society records whether the capsule was previously unearthed and whether excavation during construction would be feasible and appropriate.

A motion to approve the meeting minutes was made and seconded during the session; the transcript records the motion and second but does not include a roll-call tally. The meeting adjourned later the same day after routine business.