Ad Hoc Academy Building Guidance Committee Recommendation to the Board of Selectmen

On April 12, 2018 the Board of Selectman (BOS) unanimously approved a motion to establish an ad hoc committee to determine Madison residents’ preferred path for the future of Academy School. On June 26, 2018 the Ad Hoc Academy Building Guidance Committee (AGC or Committee) was commissioned. Per the Charge established by the BOS, the Committee was tasked to examine private and public options, gather cost estimates and select feasible options to bring to public poll utilizing a polling firm selected by the BOS. 

The BOS selected GreatBlue Research (GreatBlue) to conduct a phone poll of a representative sampling of Madison residents and taxpayers and accompanying voluntary online survey based on a questionnaire formulated by GreatBlue and the Committee. The questionnaire was designed to provide direction/guidance to the BOS in determining a community option or private development proposal most likely to be supported by Madison voters at referendum.    

The phone poll commenced November 26, 2018 and was concluded on or about November 30, 2018 (with a total of 403 completed calls).  The online survey opened December 3, 2018 and reached the contracted 2,000 submission limit on or about December 15, 2018. On December 19, 2018 GreatBlue issued a report of findings with the results of the data from the phone poll and online survey.  

The results set forth in the GreatBlue report show that a majority of those polled and surveyed support the Town’s continued ownership of Academy School, restoration of the building as a community center, and strong opposition to the sale or development of the surrounding ballfields and parkland.   

The Committee supports the findings of the GreatBlue report and recommends that the BOS be guided by these findings in presenting a plan to Madison residents for vote at referendum.  

Respectfully, 

Henry Griggs
Chair, Academy Building Guidance Committee