WILTON – Selectmen are trying to find a buyer for the former Wilton Primary School.
The 7,500 square foot, two-story building sitting on a .58 acre in-town lot at 24 School Street was accepted by voters from MSAD 9 and then put it on the market. After listing it with Portland-based Malone Commercial Brokers for nearly a year, selectmen are asking what the next step should be for the 60-year-old building.
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Ideas included demolishing the building and selling the lot, to giving it away to a nonprofit or trying another realty company. In the end, talking to other real estate companies was given the go ahead nod by the board.
It was noted that possible asbestos-containing materials used in the building will make renovations a necessary component of any potential buyer’s decision.
Selectman Paul Gooch, who served as principal of Wilton schools, believes asbestos was used in the pipe wrap, is possibly in the floor tile composition and the boiler may have been lined with it.
“The boiler would be a fairly expensive abatement if asbestos was used. The pipe wrap wouldn’t be that bad,” Gooch said.
The property was initially listed at $249,000 and has been reduced to $149,000.
“If we make it attractive enough, someone will buy it,” Selectman Russell Black said. The town has earmarked $2,320 in the next budget draft for the basic upkeep of the building, up from $2,000 in the current budget, due to rising electrical costs, said Town Manager Rhonda Irish.
it was decided to talk to local realtors and see what happens.
“We want offers,” Gooch said.
“We are motivated sellers,” Selectman Irv Faunce added.
In other business, the town office exterior will get a fresh coat of paint thanks to an anonymous donor. Paint and supplies will be donated and inmates qualified for work release from the county jail will be used to complete the job. Weather-permitting, the work will begin April 20.
