STOCKTON SPRINGS — It did not take long for the Stockton Springs selectmen to find a replacement for outgoing Stockton Springs Town Manager Courtney O’Donnell as her replacement has already been hired. 

At its annual town meeting June 15, the town’s Board of Selectmen approved Jennifer King to replace O’Donnell, who announced her resignation June 6. 

“Given the upcoming important issues, the Board acted quickly upon hearing of an interested and qualified candidate, thereby avoiding additional costs of a search and a gap without a Town Manager,” a press release noted. 

King will begin her new position July 1, creating a short overlap with O’Donnell, who is leaving for the same position with the Town of Casco. 

The overlap was designed to create a smooth transition and ensuring municipal business continues without interruption, according to the release.  

O’Donnell, who will start July 8 in Casco, held the town manager position in Stockton Springs since Feb. 2017 and worked in Bangor’s city manager’s office prior to that. 

“The top three reasons I decided to accept the position as Town Manager of Casco was the [selectmen’s] genuine approach, the high level of collaboration and forward thinking, and the feel, opportunity and challenge that Casco has to offer,” O’Donnell told The Bridgton News.

King has worked for the City of Bangor since March 2012, spending her first four years as secretary and bookkeeper for the Code Enforcement Division and more recently serving as the development coordinator for the community and economic development division, according to her LinkedIn page. 

“With my years of experience in local government, specifically in code enforcement and economic development, I felt this position would be a great fit for me,” King said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the town of Stockton Springs and excited to become a part of positive change and the excitement that’s currently happening within the town. I am excited to begin working with the Board, staff and the community.” 

One of the first major topics King will encounter is the town’s recent vote to accept the former Stockton Springs Elementary School building and property. 

The elementary school shuttered in April 2017 and mold was discovered in August 2018.

The building, according to a presentation from O’Donnell, includes 23,162 square feet on 9.5 acres with 550 feet of road frontage. 

The former school contains a gymnasium, kitchen, classrooms, playground, field and a small shed. 

The building’s current tax assessment is $15,27,860 though the assessment will drop more than $1 million due to mold damage and is currently tax exempt. 

The land’s current tax assessment is $328,000. 

Inspections will be required for asbestos and Stockton Springs will need to investigate several long term options, according to O’Donnell’s presentation. 

The presentation noted potential options include fixing the building, demolishing the building and retaining the land, demolishing a portion of the building or working with investors and developers. 

Fixing the building would include mold remediation, which is expected to cost at least $146,000, based on bids received by the school district on April 8. 

The mold remediation would gut the building, remediate all mold but does not include replacing walls, thus additional costs would be incurred to bring the building back to life. 

Potential building uses could include a community building or rental space for several business, which the presentation notes is similar to what occurred in Orland.  

The total cost estimate to fix the building is $225,000. 

If the building was demolished and the land retained, potential usages could include a fire station, community building, trails or additional spacing for community activities. 

The cost to demolish the entire building, according to a quote obtained by Stockton Springs, is approximately $50,000 with the total cost estimated to be $50,000 to $80,000, based on asbestos levels and removal of one underground storage tank. 

If demolishing a portion of the building and retaining the land, the gymnasium and possibly the kitchen would be retained while the classrooms would be demolished due to extensive mold. 

Some mold remediation would be required for the gymnasium and kitchen, according to a report to the school district from Air Quality Management Services, Inc.

Roof repair would be required due to a leak found in the gym and kitchen with damage to the walls and ceiling tiles. 

Options for the retained portion include a section of a fire station with add-ons in the future and a community space. 

O’Donnell noted the current fire station has problems, the biggest issue being a lack of space and ability to fit newer style trucks, meaning the current fire station will inevitably need to be replaced at some point in the future. 

Retaining a portion of the building would require ongoing costs including maintenance, insurance and management. 

Costs for retaining only a portion of the building are unknown, according to O’Donnell, since expert opinions and further investigation is required. 

O’Donnell also noted there is some preliminary interest from a developer regarding the future of the building. 

The cost of this option is also unknown, though insurance would be required in the meantime. Benefits include the potential to retain a portion of the land and would put the property, or at least a portion, back on the tax rolls. 

The future use of the building and its land will be determined by voters. King stated she looks forward to working with the select board to evaluate all options. 

Reach George Harvey at: sports@penbaypilot.com.