Petition Launched to Save Anawan School

The decision whether or not to rebuild the historic Anawan School could be made by voters at a town meeting. The Rehoboth Board of Selectmen do not believe the school should be rebuilt, despite the feelings of the town’s Historic Commission. The board voted earlier this month to demolish the building based upon the recommendation of William McDonough, the town’s Building Commissioner. McDonough said the property at 53 Bay State Road was “unsafe” and ordered it to be demolished within 90 days.

"There are funds within the existing town budget to potentially pay for demolition of the building," Selectman Michael Deignan said Monday. "So there isn't necessarily a requirement that we go to town meeting."

A citizens' petition drive to save the building has been launched. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) has hired a structural engineer to conduct an inspection. Chairman Skip Vadnais had called it "a waste of money."

Selectman Dave Perry said representatives of the companies being considered to demolish the building estimated the cost of rebuilding would be as much as $10 million. The cost of demolition will be between $100 and $150,000. That includes the removal of hazardous materials such as asbestos.

McDonough, Fire Chief Frank Barresi, and Health Agent Karl Drown conducted an inspection of the building on June 3. “Upon entering, there were dead squirrels in the foyer area, along with about 90 percent of all ceilings collapsed to the floors,” McDonough wrote in a letter to Perry. McDonough also reported “black mold” all over the walls and floors and said all of the hardwood floors were “completely buckled and rotted.” The building was also impacted by extensive water damage. McDonough spotted “multiple holes on the roof” and multiple broken windows.