Cleanup at the Witt School in Sight
- Mar 6
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 21
The Witt School has come a long way over the past couple of years, and while its final reuse is still undetermined, Stafford is getting ready to start the clean up and, more importantly, remediation process. As it stands, the building is a bit of a hazard; a derelict building close to downtown and located in Hyde Park, it also comes with a bit of baggage.
The Town secured the initial funds to remediate the hazardous materials more than two years ago, but held off on starting work while it looked for proposals from partners. The goal was to make the money go further through more targeted clean-up plans. Now, though, without a partner or a plan in hand, the clock is ticking.
“We have the money to clean it up, we’re going to clean it up,” said Amber Wakley Whaley, Stafford’s Director of Grants & Community Development, at the March 4, 2026, Board of Selectmen meeting. Wakley Whaley also expects to solicit bids for the remediation this spring, and for work to get underway this summer. She also noted that the Town has applied for an extension that will give Stafford until September of 2026 to get the work done.
Because it is a historic building, the State Historic Preservation Review Board has evaluated the building and suggested providing interpretive panels about the history and architecture of the building, as well as retaining examples of any windows that are removed so they can serve as a reference for any future remodels. Tile, plaster, and other hazardous materials in the school will be the focus of the clean-up. Wakley Whaley says she will also re-release a request for adaptive reuse proposals for the school.
Update: On Thursday, March 10, 2026, the board that oversees the Community Investment Fund 2030 program approved $63 million in funding for 38 community development projects. That includes $1.3 million approved for environmental cleanup and abatement at the Witt School. Back in December, Stafford Free Press reported that Amber Wakley-Whaley, Stafford’s Director of Grants & Community Development was applying for this grant to help close the funding gap for the project.
In a press release announcing this funding, and a similar award in Vernon, State Senator Jeff Gordon said, “I have been strongly advocating for these investments, and I’m pleased to see this funding coming back to benefit communities in the 35th Senate district. Thank you to the Community Investment Fund Board for supporting these important projects in Vernon and Stafford."
