submitted by Matthew Coogan
Town Administrator/ CPO
Town of Boxford
mcoogan@boxfordma.gov
BOXFORD − The Boxford Select Board is seeking resident feedback on proposed next steps for two vacant Town-owned properties: demolition of the former West Boxford Library building and sale of the property at 188 Washington Street, and a competitive lease for reuse of the former Council on Aging building at 4 Middleton Road. The survey is open through November 16, 2026.
This survey is the next step in an ongoing public process. It builds on previous surveys, public discussions, and several years of study and due diligence by the Adaptive Reuse of Buildings Advisory Committee, Town staff, and consultants. Residents are being asked to help inform the Board’s proposed path forward and the conditions that should guide implementation before final decisions are made.
The Select Board will discuss the results and receive public input at a public hearing during its November 23, 2026 meeting. Residents should consult the posted Select Board agenda for the hearing time, location, and participation details.
Prior work has examined building conditions, market opportunities, potential public and private uses, and the costs and challenges of reuse. Both buildings remain vacant and require ongoing spending on utilities, maintenance, and protection from deterioration.
At 188 Washington Street, the Board’s proposed direction is to demolish the building and prepare the property for sale. The survey seeks feedback on that approach, potential future uses of the property, and the factors that should guide the Town’s decisions.
At 4 Middleton Road, interest from St. George Classical Academy, a local private school, in leasing the building for classroom space has been discussed at public meetings and has helped bring that potential use forward for consideration.
No final decisions have been made about either property, and no buyer or tenant has been selected. If the Town proceeds with leasing 4 Middleton Road, it would seek a market-rate lease through a competitive Request for Proposals process under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 30B, Section 16. Any sale or lease would remain subject to applicable approvals, including Town Meeting authorization where required.
Residents are encouraged to review the background information in the survey and share their views on the proposed directions, financial considerations, preservation, neighborhood impacts, and conditions that should guide any sale or lease. Responses will help inform the Board’s next steps, including possible articles for the May 11, 2027 Annual Town Meeting.
Complete the survey by November 16, 2026:
Take the resident survey at: https://tinyurl.com/boxfordsurvey.
Background studies and information about the Town’s work are available on the project website:
Adaptive Reuse Feasibility Study project website: https://tinyurl.com/boxfordusestudy
Individual survey responses are public records and may be released. Please do not include sensitive personal information.
