Friends of Prescott School Seek CPA Grant for Sprinkler System

Friends of Prescott School Treasurer Bruce Easom recommended to the Board of Selectmen that either they, as owners of the Prescott School, or the non-profit Friends should consider submitting an application for a Community Preservation Fund grant to install a sprinkler system in the school building. If the Friends submitted the application, Easom said, they would like a letter of support from Selectmen. These funds would come from the monies set aside for work on historic buildings and Prescott is clearly eligible as it is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

The Board and Easom discussed the future of the building, whether or not sprinklers would add to the value of the structure, whether the expenditure of the funds, if approved could be delayed until the final plan for Prescott is complete, or could be returned to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC).

Easom said that there were sufficient monies in the CPC accounts to cover all the applications from other groups, and stressed that this was an opportunity to secure these funds. He added that there is no time requirement to spend the funds, limited to a five-year period. He estimated that, based on previous estimates for sprinklers, it could cost #166K including a 20 percent cushion.

Selectman Stuart Schulman pointed out that the efforts around the Prescott School have been going on for a number of years, and that he was "frustrated" at the lack of progress on a solution.

Following lengthy discussion on the proposal, some selectmen saw no downside for such an action, noting that the funds could be held until a final decision on the building.

Selectman Peter Cunningham moved that the Board send a Letter of Support for the concept and need for a sprinkler system at Prescott. He then promptly voted against his motion, along with Selectmen Josh Degen and Anna Eliot.