Back in 2016, the question of 611 Springs Road was a saga. Now it’s more like a footnote.
The School Committee Tuesday unanimously affirmed its 2016 vote to accept the children living at that address as students in the local schools — even though part of the property is on the Billerica side of the town line. The school district can have a significant impact on the value of the property. School Superintendent Philip Conrad said the recommendation is based in precedent—and on advice from counsel.
The house recently was sold, which resurrected the issue. Conrad said, “We spoke to our attorneys. We have looked at evidence. I recommend we continue in perpetuity the vote from fall 2016 to continue to allow students who reside at 611 or 607 Springs Road to continue to come to the Bedford Public Schools (the address numerals recently changed).”
No action from the board was needed, as the 3-2 vote in 2016 remains in effect.
“We gave it great consideration the first time, then after advice from counsel we are in agreement,” said committee member Anne Guay. “I think this matter is probably closed forever,” said committee Chair Dan Brosgol. Both were on the committee during the original debate.
Several residents spoke at the beginning of the meeting in support of sustaining the decision. The new buyer “was under the impression that this wasn’t going to come up again and that the decision was binding,” said realtor Suzanne Koller. “To have this come up again is quite shocking and would create financial hardship.”
“This was a very fact-specific case,” Guay noted. “This doesn’t apply to other houses that straddle two communities.”
Mike Rosenberg can be reached at [email protected], or 781-983-1763
Correction: The 2016 vote was unanimously affirmed but no new vote was taken at the March 23 meeting.
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