Board stalls for time on rent-decrease decision.

Byline: Maggie Whitney

ASHBURNHAM - The Ashburnham-Westminster School Committee wants to take more time before deciding whether to decrease the controversial $1,500-a-month rental assessment to the town for using Oakmont Regional High School as a temporary Town Hall.

The committee voted 5-3 Tuesday night to table the matter until the July 17 meeting.

"We just can't seem to stay out of trouble," said Chairman David M. Christianson Jr. as the committee began its discussion of the matter Tuesday. "This is an incredibly confusing situation."

Committee member Keith P. Glenny stressed to the committee members that the assessment was never part of the lease agreement made in February with the town, and said he was still unclear about what happened to create that impression. In early June, Town Administrator Kevin E. Paicos expressed outrage at the town's being charged rent for use of the school facilities. He apologized within days, saying the school was well within its rights to do so.

A lease agreement for the arrangement had been signed by both sides during May.

Mr. Glenny, Mr. Christianson and member James Rheault agreed to reduce the assessment, although the current situation has changed because of the June 12 failed override. Member Jeff Boudreau preferred to wait until September to decide because, he said, "we are in a crisis."

Member Gwen Farley echoed Mr. Boudreau's comments, saying the district is in a real crisis. She suggested the committee stay with the current lease.

Mr. Glenny explained that the town had not anticipated the costs that were involved and has overspent its money. "They don't have funds for the second year of the lease. True, we could use the money, but we should lower the assessment."

Mr. Rheault agreed that lowering the assessment was the right thing to do, and reminded the committee that a fire pull station has yet to be installed and is required by July 1. "What is going to happen if it is not done by July 1?" he added.

Member Ellen Holmes said the district is in a different position from February. "We have no wiggle room to offset funds."

She said she respected the good-faith negotiations, but the district now has new challenges to face that were not on the table in January.

Lenny Beaton suggested that town officials ask for the additional funding to pay for the lease at a special town meeting.

While Superintendent Michael Zapantis stressed that he did not want to add fuel to the fire, he said the original town hall relocation appropriation, $125,000, was reduced to $75,000 and may not have been spent efficiently.

NAME: ASHBURNHAM-WESTMINSTER REGIONAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE