Madison Officials Will Consider Proposals For Academy Street Site

MADISON, CT - Five proposals for development of the Old Academy School site were received at a special meeting of the Board of Selectmen on Thursday night. On Friday morning, First Selectman Tom Banisch said four of those proposals were "good ones" that will be reviewed for consideration.

Three of the plans would keep the entire old school as part of the renovation plans that would include some apartment and/or condo developments, the first selectman said. One plan would convert the old school site into an affordable housing project similar to one that currently exists in Old Saybrook.

"All of the plans would maintain the playground as is," the first selectman said, which he said officials made clear was a preference from the start.

Banisch added that one of the plans submitted also incorporates building a "septic system for the entire downtown area," a priority that the first selectman said has been one of his ambitions for a number of years.

Banisch said: "We will begin on Monday to lay out a timeframe to review all the plans submitted."

He added: "What's most important is that we allow time for and get ample feedback from the public on what plan they prefer."

"My goal is for us to come up with a preferred plan in time to put it up for a referendum vote this May," Banisch said. "I've been told that's ambitious - but that's what I'm hoping for."