Sandwich Receives Two Proposals for Wing School

The Henry T. Wing School was built in 1927.

SANDWICH – The Town of Sandwich has received two bids for the future use of the former Henry T. Wing School.

A request for proposals closed on August 5 and bids were opened on the same day.

Stratford Capital Group submitted a bid to purchase the property from the town for more than $1.25 million to develop the property into mixed-income senior housing.

The proposal would retain the 1927 portion of the building and demolish the rest and build affordable elderly housing for seniors at least 62 years of age.

The second proposal was from current leasee Cape Cod Collaborative.

The collaborative provides educational services for individuals with special needs and multiple handicaps. The organization’s alternative middle and high school relocated to the former Wing School in 2017.

The current lease runs through 2020 and the organization is seeking to extend that to 2023 with an option through 2025 for $50,000 per year.

“I’m pleased that we had two varied bids,” said Town Planner Ralph Vitacco. “It makes it more interesting for the analysis to see which direction the selectmen want to go, and putting it forward to town meeting to see if town meeting will accept what was put forward.”

Vitacco said a group has been formulated to look at which proposal meets the needs of the town best.

The Cape Cod Collaborative proposal said the school would be available to the town if there is an increase in the student population.

Stratford Capital cited current demographics which indicate an aging population and the upcoming need for more housing for seniors.

Vitacco said the town will be looking at two other Stratford Capital projects on Cape Cod – the Coady School in Bourne and the Simpkins School in Yarmouth.

Both proposals include the preservation of the historic 1927 building’s façade, which was a requirement from town meeting voters.

Officials had originally hoped to have a proposal chosen to go before residents at a special town meeting in the fall, but it is more likely it will be presented at spring town meeting.

“We want to take our time and take a critical look at each proposal to see which one meets the needs of the town best,” Vitacco said.

“If would could get it for the fall we would be happy, but we don’t want to go past next year’s annual town meeting in May.”