New tenants?

Stonington will hold a hearing on a proposal to lease the vacant West Broad Street School to St. Michael School in Pawcatuck.

Stonington — The Board of Selectmen will hold a public hearing Wednesday night on a proposed three-year contract to lease the vacant West Broad Street School to St. Michael School in Pawcatuck for rent of $300 a month.

The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. in the police station meeting room. The Board of Selectmen

are expected to meet after the hearing to decide whether to approve the contract.

The 120-year-old school was vacated last year after the completion of the renovation and expansion project of West Vine Street School. Since then, the town’s Facilities Committee has been looking at ways to reuse the school as well as the former School Administration Building in Old Mystic.

The proposed contract calls for the school to pay the town $300 a month in rent and pay for all utilities such as gas, electric, water, and sewer usage.

In addition, the school will be responsible for general maintenance and repairs to the aging building and its grounds including snow removal, landscaping and garbage removal.

The town, however, would be responsible for major capital repairs such as those to the roof, exterior walls, heating, fire suppression, below ground water and sewer systems and windows unless the action or inaction of St. Michael School created the need for the repairs.

The management of the heating system is the responsibility of St. Michael School and it can only use a contractor approved by the town.

The contract also states that the town will not be required to spend more than $50,000 in any fiscal year on capital repairs. If repairs exceed $50,000, the school agrees to work with the town to come up with a mutually agreed upon plan to address the repairs over time.

The lease also calls for a two-year renewal at the end of there years if the town and school agree.

Town officials have supported the lease saying it would ensure the building is occupied and cared for instead of remaining vacant. This would give the Facilities Committee time to possibly look for a long- term use for the building.

Some residents have criticized the monthly rent as too low and would prefer the property be sold and developed to generate tax revenue.