MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS. The former high school of Collège Massawippi (formerly Servites) is of interest to the elected officials of Ayer’s Cliff, who want to buy the building and the 90 acres of land at a cost of $ 1,750,000.
The Municipality has submitted an offer to purchase including a series of conditions to be met before confirming a transaction. The council targets in particular the acceptance of a loan of $ 2 million by the population as well as the results of building and environmental inspections satisfactory in the eyes of elected officials.
The council’s objective is to use part of the main building for municipal purposes. The transfer of a town hall to be modernized and of the community center appears in the plans of the elected officials. They are also thinking of the possibility of taking advantage of the existing baseball, soccer and tennis fields.
Spokesman Mike Crook also points to the council’s desire to more easily control future real estate development at this strategic location. “We could then sell part of the building and unused land, or develop projects in partnership with the private sector,” he observes. We must seize this unique opportunity. ”
The mayor opposes
Mayor Vincent Gérin opposes this resolution adopted at the end of December by the five members of the municipal council. “I do not see what is the interest of the Municipality to make an offer, he specifies. We have regulations in place to ensure development in accordance with our wishes. I am also of the opinion that a town hall should rather be located near the village center. ”
The acquisition cost, the invoice for fitting out municipal offices, a sharing of co-ownership with the private sector and a new vocation as a promoter for the Municipality worried the chief magistrate.
Mr. Gérin also wonders about the relevance of submitting an offer of $ 1.7 million when another of $ 2 million is already on the table. According to our sources, this buyer would be Richard Laliberté. This local businessman also owns the Ripplecove Hotel.
The Servite religious community may soon make a decision to find a new buyer.
