LEYDEN — Pearl Rhodes Elementary School might be used for town office space while Leyden determines a final use for the building.
The Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee voted to close Leyden’s elementary school in March to avoid a financial deficit in the district’s budget. With the school closed, Leyden students are attending Bernardston Elementary School this school year.
Selectboard Chair Jeff Neipp said the town still needs the occupancy permit for the school building from the building inspector. Until then, the town cannot move anything into the building.
The town has filled out a change of use form, but the building inspector requires drawings for what the change of use will entail. The Selectboard will discuss the potential change of use at its next meeting in September.
Municipal Assistant Michele Giarusso said the town is moving to occupy the building faster than originally planned because of the cost to insure a building that is considered “vacant.”
“Vacant building insurance costs are pricey,” she said.
According to Giarusso, the town’s insurance company requires Leyden to occupy at least 31 percent of the building’s square footage, for approximately 60 days, to avoid being charged with insuring a vacant building. She received a quote of approximately $2,000, prorated, to insure the building from September to July.
Giarusso’s office, as well as the offices of the town clerk and tax collector, may be moved to Pearl Rhodes. Town records may also be moved and stored in the former school building.
The town is in the process of getting quotes from moving companies to transfer town office equipment and files. These potential moves may take place at the end of September, she said.
Moving to the building would be nice for town officials and finances this winter, Giarusso said, as Town Hall is not insulated and heating costs can get high. Additionally, the elementary school could provide better meeting space.
“This isn’t to say the Selectboard won’t have an opportunity for residents to weigh in on the real future of building,” Giarusso clarified. “This is not forever, but we are lacking office space.”