Whately Working Group Plans Nonprofit, Bond Bill Push for Former Center School

School Committee · Meeting of March 12, 2026

Whately working group advances kitchen and nonprofit plan for former Center School building. The group, meeting March 12, discussed forming a 501(c)(3) nonprofit estimated to cost roughly $800 to broaden grant eligibility, and reviewed an outreach conversation with the Agricultural Commission in which member Tim Norris and others expressed enthusiasm for cooking classes and a commercial kitchen. A member reported that state Sen.

Paul Mark is willing to help pursue infrastructure funding through upcoming transportation, environmental, and economic bond bills, with the transportation bill expected within a month and a funding decision due by August 1. The group flagged an approximately May 27 deadline for a competitive underutilized properties grant — the same program that rejected the town's previous application for lack of an operator and a firm plan. Members agreed to bring both a draft RFI and an informal infrastructure funding request to the Select Board at its next meeting, on or around March 25, before either document is formally posted or transmitted to the senator's office.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of March 12, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.