Burr and Burton Academy Headmaster Mark Tashjian announced today that the school’s Mountain Semester program is back on track after an agreement was reached with three Peru property owners who had filed an appeal to the school’s Act 250 and Town of Peru permits. The Environmental Court has approved the settlement and incorporated the terms thereof into a revised permit. Burr and Burton will now purchase 100 acres of land in Peru for its wilderness education program.
Tashjian explained that, following several mediation sessions, an agreement was reached with the abutting property owners. “Everyone negotiated in good faith,” he said. "The process was a long one but I believe we are in a better place to begin the project. Our discussions have helped sharpen our focus and respond to the legitimate concerns of our future neighbors. ”
The basic terms of the agreement set limits on the land use, student population, automobile traffic, summer use, and construction projects. It ensures that the ridgeline onto the Utley Flats remains forever wooded, with no school structures visible from roads or the surrounding areas. It assures that the property will not be used in any way as a facility for boarding students. While this is consistent with Burr and Burton’s oft stated intentions, the agreement adds comfort for the neighbors that those intentions will be lasting.
“This agreement gives assurance and legal recourse to Peru and Landgrove residents that we will do exactly what we say we are going to do: create an academically rigorous, inspiring semester program for Burr and Burton students so they can connect with and study the natural world,” Burr and Burton Board of Trustees Chair Seth Bongartz stated. “We are happy to provide contractual insurance that we will keep it small, that we will minimize traffic on Hapgood Pond Road, and that we will protect the unique character of the Landgrove and Peru communities.”
“We reached a compromise, which by definition means everyone had to give a little,” added Tashjian. “I am excited that we are now ready to move forward, and I believe the restrictions we agreed to provide ample flexibility to create the program we envision. I appreciate the collaborative spirit we developed with the neighbors, and I look forward to building on this working relationship so we can move this project forward in a spirit of partnership. I know there remain residents in Landgrove and Peru who are skeptical of our intent and of the wisdom of this program, and even members of team with which we just reached agreement admitted ‘the proof will be in the pudding.’ We intend to prove to the Peru and Landgrove communities that we will be good neighbors, and my hope is that this program will quickly become a source of pride all around.”
After closing on the land, the immediate plan is to build a bridge, rudimentary driveway, and a small structure to provide a base for operations. Construction of the main building will begin once sufficient funds have been raised. As with all building projects at Burr and Burton Academy, this project will be funded entirely through private donations; no town tuition funds will be used for construction.