WCS land vote next Wednesday

9/24/2013

By Jim Poole

Worcester residents will vote next Wednesday on whether the school district should sell land to a small supermarket chain.
The vote is noon to 8pm on the east side lobby of the school.
If approved, Family Dollar would buy the 1.5-acre plot near the school bus garage for $214,000.
School board members approved the sale this summer, but residents--including some board members--petitioned for the October 2 vote.
The concern among many is that Family Dollar, which sells groceries, clothing, household items and other goods, would seriously hurt downtown Worcester businesses.
The sale would help the school district. The school would use the $214,000 to approach fiscal stability. Worcester has taken money from its limited fund balance to complete the budget and keep taxes in bounds.
If voters okay the sale, the deal is done except for paper work because the school board already approved it, Superintendent Bill Diamond said.
If voters reject it, "there are no appeals, no second thoughts," Mr. Diamond said.
"The board wants the public to speak, and by voting, they will speak," Mr. Diamond added.