Douglas committee backs new member, pushes for looser Gleason Court building restrictions

DOUGLAS -- February 18, 2026, Douglas building panel backs new member and loosens stance on Gleason Court school sale. The Building and Facilities Construction Committee voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend Margaret Bacon, a site-development consultant and former Massachusetts Department of Corrections deputy facilities director, for appointment to the committee, and separately moved to urge the Select Board to allow rear additions to the vacant 11 Gleason Court building in any reissued request for proposals. Town Administrator Matt Wojcik, who presented the item, said the Select Board had set a hard price floor of $168,500, the assessed land value, and a soft floor of $390,000 based on a formal appraisal, with bidders required under Chapter 30B, Section 16 to justify any offer below the appraised figure. Wojcik said he supports a proposed clawback clause requiring project completion within a set time frame, but expressed reservations about a separate Select Board suggestion to permanently restrict the building footprint by deed, arguing the restriction would complicate accessibility requirements under 521 CMR and could deter investment in a building whose 20-year roof is already five years past its rated life.