Groton - The Noank Fire District will have a say as to what becomes of the former Noank Elementary School.

A reuse task force, chaired for the last year by Town Councilor Bruce Flax, tendered its final report to the Town Council last week with three specific recommendations. The council will vote to take up two of the three ideas when it meets tonight at 7:30 in the Town Hall annex.

The task force proposes that the town maintain ownership of the property. It also suggests that the Noank Fire District be given six months to present a plan for using it.

The third recommendation, which the council rejected, would have called for the building to be razed and the land held as open space if the fire district did not present a reuse plan within six months.

Demolition is estimated at $345,000. Renovation costs have been estimated at between $600,000 and $1.2 million, depending on the condition of the roof, Flax told the council.

The fire district would investigate the feasibility of turning all or part of the school building into storage and office space.

"The kitchen and gym could be made usable for community type gatherings and perhaps, private parties," Noank Fire District Chairman Frank J. Socha stated in a letter to Flax. "Classrooms could be used for storage by other groups, including the Noank Historical Society. The Indian and Colonial Research Center has indicated a need for additional space to store parts of its collection."

Socha's letter noted meetings that are held in the firehouse that might be better served in a separate facility, including Alcoholics Anonymous, the Noank-Mystic Community Band and various fitness programs. Socha said the outside area would remain as is, perhaps enhanced by playground equipment.

"I believe the building still has useful life ahead of it," Socha said.

Socha said the fire district is grateful for the chance to look at what could be done with the building. He said even if the district couldn't afford to renovate the entire building, it might be feasible to raze parts of it and use the best section.

Another interested stakeholder is a group of residents who call themselves Friends of Prospect Hill Neighborhood. They agree that the property should remain publicly owned but want the building demolished and the space used for passive recreation.

"That's what it's been used for. Kids play basketball there. People walk their dogs," said William Sweeney, an attorney representing the group. "We're concerned that the cost to reuse it would be too much. The concept of retaining the school in any form is fundamentally flawed. The building's useful life has long expired."

c.potter@theday.com