Commission recommends long-term lease, not sale, for Lambsco school parking

The commission met Sept. 3 and agreed to recommend that the town council pursue a long-term lease with the school district for the Lambsco parking property rather than sell the land outright. The commission's Chair (S1) summarized the group's preference and asked staff to prepare a plan the council could review.

The discussion centered on who would pay for and perform maintenance if the property left municipal ownership. A staff member (S4) advised retaining ownership and using an interlocal agreement to assign snow removal, asphalt repairs and other upkeep to the school district under the lease. "I would definitely say, not selling it but retaining it is in your best interest," the staff member said, urging language in a lease and an interlocal agreement to clarify responsibilities. Commissioners and staff also discussed including terms for improvements (drainage and junction box upgrades), whether the town would retain after-hours access, and drafting clauses addressing future sale or redevelopment.