FAQs • Madison, CT • CivicEngage

What is the history of Academy School?: The original Hand Academy was gifted from Daniel Hand in 1884 and became a free public high school in 1887. The original building was demolished and Academy School was constructed in 1921. A rear addition to the school was constructed in 1936. The school was vacated by the Board of Education in 2004 and turned over to the Town in 2011.

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Academy School

1. What is the history of Academy School?: The original Hand Academy was gifted from Daniel Hand in 1884 and became a free public high school in 1887. The original building was demolished and Academy School was constructed in 1921. A rear addition to the school was constructed in 1936. The school was vacated by the Board of Education in 2004 and turned over to the Town in 2011.

2. When Hand Academy was gifted to the Town of Madison, what were the conditions of acceptance?: There were three conditions of acceptance, generally summarized as follows: (1) “Said property always to be known as Hand Academy”, (2) “Nor shall the same be used for any other purpose”, and (3) “Said town shall employ a suitable teacher or teachers…. At least 8 months of each year”.

3. Do the conditions of acceptance still apply?: No, in 1958 the Daniel Hand estate trustees (American Missionary society) released the Town of Madison from the three conditions in conjunction with Town Meeting approval to build a new high school (what is now Polson Middle School) on Green Hill Road. The release required that the new high school to be named “Daniel Hand”.

4. How big is the property?: The Academy School property is 5.13 acres, which includes the ball fields, playground, and basketball court. The property extends north-to-south from School Street to Bradley Road and east-to-west from Academy Street to the church property.

5. What is the property zoned?: The property is located within an R-2, Zoning District. The primary use allowed in the R-2 District is single-family residential dwellings, but several uses may be approved by special exception including municipal buildings, fire houses, bus or railroad passenger stations, and other public utility buildings as well philanthropic, educational, recreational or religious use by a duly incorporated, non-profit body, governmental unit or community association.

6. Can the property be rezoned to permit additional uses?: Yes, the Planning & Zoning Commission has the authority to change the zone and/or amend the regulations to permit additional uses on the property. Any such action requires a public hearing to be held.

7. What approvals would be required if the property were to be redeveloped?: Since the property is located within the Madison Historic District, approvals must be secured from both the Historic District Commission and the Planning & Zoning Commission for any proposed redevelopment. The Historic District Commission also has approval authority over full or partial demolition of the existing building, and the Planning & Zoning Commission has approval authority over use of the existing building. The property is also located within the Downtown Village District, which triggers additional requirements for architectural and aesthetic review of any proposed development in view from public roadways.

8. Can the property be subdivided?: The property exceeds the minimum lot area required for subdivision potential; however, 4.87 acres would be required to be sold along with the building in order to conform to the lot coverage requirements of the R-2 zoning district.

9. Is there enough parking to support a reuse of the property?: The zoning regulations do not contain specific requirements for educational uses. If the building were developed into condominiums or commercial space, it is likely that additional parking will be required.

10. What would happen to the ball fields if the property is redeveloped?: The future of the ball fields is contingent on future use of the site. If the ball fields were displaced to accommodate redevelopment, the Town would consider providing ball fields at another location, based on what is needed.

11. What are the current cost estimates to renovate the property?: $8 Million+

12. What is the current appraised value of the property?: The current appraised value of the property, according to Town of Madison Assessment records, is $5,304,700.

13. If the property were developed beyond just the school building itself, how much tax revenue would be generated?: That would depend on the value of the development that is approved. As we move further along in the process, we will be able to look at different proposals and determine what additional revenues would be generated.

14. What will happen to the food trucks if the property is redeveloped?: he future of the food trucks is contingent on future use of the site. It is possible that the food trucks could stay where they are, move to Academy Street, or be relocated elsewhere with approval of the Board of Selectmen.

15. How much tax revenue would be generated if the property were sold as-is?: Based on the current assessed value of the property listed in the Town of Madison Assessment records, it would generate $98,365 in tax revenue per year.