Sandwich Voters Likely to Consider Wing School Future at Town Meeting

SANDWICH – Voters in Sandwich will likely consider the future of the Henry T. Wing School with an article at town meeting in May.

Selectmen are weighing their options for the old building, which dates back to 1927. Options include trying to sell the building, knocking it down, or renovation.

Renovation would be a costly approach, with the price tag of a full-scale remodel at $70 million. Officials could also look at a partial restoration effort, with an estimated cost of over $30 million.

The town recently surveyed residents on their desired approach for the building. 45 percent of respondents suggested the town try to sell the building, leading Selectman Frank Pannorfi to propose putting an article on the town meeting warrant giving selectmen the authority to pursue a potential sale.

“Let’s test it. Let’s put an article on the warrant and ask that the town give the board of selectmen an opportunity to try and sell it,” Pannorfi said.

If approved, selectmen would put out a request for proposals to gauge the interest of potential buyers.

“If we don’t get anything, I think it pretty much tells us nobody’s interested in it,” Pannorfi said.

If the town decided to level the building instead, the estimated cost would be $4.5 million.

The Wing School currently houses offices for the town’s school administration.