The school recently hosted its first student visit day since the restoration began, welcoming 57 fourth graders. The initiative aims to offer educational opportunities while maintaining the school’s historic charm. Plans are underway to incorporate annual visits by elementary students, though transportation costs are a concern. In addition, a local high school student has documented the stories of the 27 teachers who taught at Sandy Pond School, producing a slideshow and video available on the association’s website.

Financially, the restoration has required substantial community support, with costs exceeding $300,000 since 2014. Initial funding included a $5,000 grant from the select board to assist with the national register application. Despite setbacks, including a lost grant, the restoration has seen considerable achievements thanks to collaborative efforts and community involvement.

Discussions also addressed the building’s use as a venue for community events, though its capacity is limited to about 35 people. The space could accommodate musical performances and lectures. A proposal to make the building year-round accessible involves installing a mini-split heat pump system, estimated at $30,000 to $40,000. Furthermore, the preservation of historical textbooks is being considered, with potential digitization by the Northeast Document Conservation Center to ensure accessibility and preservation.

In parallel, the committee discussed the upcoming town meeting, emphasizing the importance of community participation. This town meeting, scheduled for October 27th, will address several topics, including a $1 million Urban Development Action Grant (UDAG) for the senior center project. The funding plan proposes using $2 million from capital stabilization alongside the UDAG allocation. Concerns about transparency and taxpayer understanding were voiced, with assurances given about ongoing efforts to keep residents informed and engaged.

The meeting also included a public hearing on a liquor license transfer for Billiard’s Cafe, which was approved unanimously, and the extension of a contract for sewer and storm drain maintenance. Additionally, a change order for the Grove Pond water treatment facilities project was discussed, involving a generator manufacturer change and extending the project’s timeline with financial backing from a US Army grant.

Lastly, the committee addressed the fiscal year 2027 budget update, noting potential challenges such as health insurance increases and inflation. Key dates for budget submissions were outlined, and the importance of mass development’s involvement in the Devon’s jurisdictional framework committee was discussed, with a letter being drafted to encourage their participation.