Noank School Survey Results: Use Property For Recreation, Open Space

A survey of residents this summer found that most would like the former Noank School property used for recreation or open space, and many would like the school building saved.

The survey was done from June 22 to July 27, and asked about three main issues: what should happen to the building, how the property should be used and who should own it.

Archie Swindell, who compiled the results, said 189 people answered, most of whom pay taxes and live in Groton. The survey also allowed residents to leave comments.

Results showed that of those with an opinion about the school building itself, most want to repair it or keep some part of it: 25.9 percent said they want the building renovated; 23.8 percent said they want some part of the structure to stay.

Of the remaining people who expressed an opinion, 42.2 percent want the school building demolished. The rest had no opinion or skipped the question.

On the property’s use, results showed most who answered would like it used for recreation or open space: 107 people chose recreation as their first or second choice for future use of the property; 79 chose open space.  The least popular choices were residential single-family lots and an artists’ cooperative.

“This school should have remained a school,” one person wrote. “Since that option is not available, I think it should be used as a community/recreation center. . . it SHOULD NOT become private residences!!!”

“No one will ever visit Noank and rave about another batch of McMansions,” said another, who wanted the property used for artists and community garden space.

The survey also showed that most believe the town, rather than the Noank Fire District, a non-profit group or a private party should own the site. Of those surveyed, 115 said town ownership would be their first or second choice.

The Noank School Reuse Task Force, the group charged with recommending what to do with the property, had voted 7 to 1 in December not save the former elementary building, but then decided to try the survey.

The task force meets next on Oct. 6 to develop a recommendation, which it will then bring forward to the Town Council.

Noank School was originally built in 1947, and was added to in 1963.