Groton — The state will sign an agreement with the town this week that allows the town to use the Merritt property for a new middle school, according to Dennis Schain, spokesman for the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Groton would give the state a 20-acre property known as Boulder Heights, off the end of Colver Avenue, for open space and future recreational fields. In exchange, the town would be allowed to build the middle school on the Merritt property, adjacent to Robert E. Fitch High School.

The agreement comes at a crucial time, as taxpayers vote Nov. 8 on a $184.5 million referendum to build a new middle school on the property. The school construction program would also convert the town's two existing middle schools into renovated elementary schools and close three of Groton's oldest school facilities. Town and school officials have said the plan could not go forward without state approval of a land swap.

The Boulder Heights property has some trails, he said. The town would have to put up signs up along the trail route and within two years install a small parking area and begin the planning process for developing future recreational fields, Schain said. The actual land transfer would take place after the referendum, if it passes, he said.

"If the referendum passes it's all set to go," he said.

The Merritt property includes two parcels, the largest of which was purchased using a grant from the state's Outdoor Recreation Fund Project.

Since Groton bought the land from Mary S. Merritt in 1989 with the restriction that it be used for "conservation, recreation and open space," the town had to offer the state an alternative property for future recreation to build on the Merritt property.

"I know that the town officials and the state DEEP have been working on this arrangement for months, actually," Superintendent Michael Graner said. "And for me it is the best news I've heard in a long time, because it opens the door for us to pursue the campus idea that we envisioned a year and a half ago."

The plan is for the middle school to be built next to the high school so teachers may go back and forth between the two schools. The school board ultimately hopes to expand the high school's International Baccalaureate program, which combines rigorous academics with an awareness of global issues, Graner said.

The agreement eliminates the question of whether the property next to Fitch High School may be used, said Craig Koehler, co-chair of the Groton Schools 2020 political action committee, which supports the plan. The agreement should alleviate concerns about the Merritt property, he said.

"I think it certainly is a positive and is helpful to us," he said. "I think the vote is going to be close. I'm hoping it comes out favorable."

Rosanne Kotowski, co-founder of Groton Advocates for Tax Efficiency, said she still opposes the plan.

"If the town has received permission from the state for a land swap, I haven't seen it yet," she said. "However, there are still many reasons why this project is not good for Groton. It is too expensive and taxes will increase significantly. There are questions as to the reimbursement rates and waivers as well as if Groton will receive the diversity grant.  Also, there is no documentation available that new buildings improve the quality of education."

"Groton must present realistic and much smaller projects to the voters, that are affordable and may have a chance to pass a referendum," she said.

d.straszheim@theday.com