Schools

Portsmouth Council To Research Costs for Demolishing Former Elmhurst School

The Portsmouth Town Council must decide by August if a ballot question will be put forth to voters.

The Portsmouth Town Council took two major steps towards the future use of the  on Tuesday night. 

The council heard a presentation from , which has been working to develop plans for the closed building. 

The Elmhurst Elementary School closed in 2009 in order to cut costs. The town is now debating the future of the waterfront property next to .

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On Tuesday, the town council voted to direct Town Administrator John Klimm and Finance Director David Faucher to develop a request for proposal or RFP. 

The RFP will be for the "removal of the Elmhurst school property, exclusive of the manor house and chapel; removal of the building; reshaping of the land; and hydro-feeding," according to meeting minutes. 

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The vote was 6-0 with member Michael Buddemyer absent. 

The RFP will help the council "determine costs" for the removal of this property, Klimm said Wednesday. The council will still need to vote on its removal. 

By state law, the council also must decided by Aug. 8 if they want to add a referendum question to the November election ballot. The referendum question would ask voters if they approve of the removal of this school building. 

The council also voted Tuesday to direct Klimm, the town solicitor and member of Elmhurst Reuse Committee to work with the to develop a contract. 

The ALT has expressed interest in conserving this waterfront property. The council would still need to vote in approval of such a contract. 

The vote was 4-1 with Paul Kesson opposed and Liz Pedro abstained. 


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