CARIBOU, Maine — The City of Caribou authorized a total of eight land swaps in April 2016, all to support construction of a new $45 million pre-kindergarten through grade 8 school.
But councilors now have to revise an ordinance to address a clause that would all the city to take back land transferred to Regional School Unit 39 for the school project.
While councilors may have approved the land swaps more than a year ago, they are revisiting the issue because the 2016 ordinance “did not address the agreed upon release of a reversion clause associated with the same properties,” according to a new ordinance introduced during the Council’s Oct. 10 meeting.
Of the eight transfers previously approved, three lots could be affected by the clause, including the public pool near Teague Park, Teague Park itself, which is going to be relocated across the street after the facility is complete, and Park Street, a small road located between Bennett Drive and Glenn Street.
Councilors agreed to hold a public hearing on Nov. 13 to “terminate” the existing reversion clause.
“If the council approves this ordinance during the next meeting, there will still be a 31 day waiting period before [changes] become effective,” City Manager Dennis Marker said during the Oct. 10 meeting. “That’s the time frame looking forward.”
In return for the pool, Teague Park, and Park Street properties, RSU 39 will transfer a portion of the Teague Park School, the Learning Center, Sincock School, and Hilltop School properties to the city of Caribou for a variety of purposes including federally funded city park use and the transition of Hilltop into a senior living center.
Additionally, Carl Soderberg, owner of Caribou-based Soderberg Construction, will transfer property located behind the former Sincock School to be used for park purposes which, according to the April 25 council packet, may include a dog park and picnic area.
The Maine Department of Education has agreed to fund the bulk of the demolition and construction for the new school project.
RSU 39 officials expect the new school to be finished in early 2020.
