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We, the undersigned residents and community members, strongly oppose the proposed sale of the historic G&B School to 12 Gods Brewery or any other commercial enterprise.

We urge the Board of Selectmen to:

• Reject the sale of the G&B School to 12 Gods Brewery or any commercial entity,
• Proceed immediately with the grant-funded conditions assessment and feasibility study at no cost to the Town or taxpayers,
• Stabilize the building, including addressing the leaking roof, while long-term solutions are evaluated.
• Preserve the G&B School for public and community use in perpetuity.

The proposed sale directly contradicts the original intent of the Gilbert & Bennett Manufacturing Company and breaks long-standing commitments made by the Town. When the Town acquired the school in 1964 for $1, it did so with explicit assurances that it would honor the original Deed of Gift and preserve the building for public and community use. Town officials at the time confirmed this was considered an inviolable agreement.

For over a century, the G&B School has served as a vital community and cultural center, and until its abrupt closure in September 2024, it was actively fulfilling that role. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and holds significant historic and architectural value. Allowing a brewery or other commercial operation in a residential historic district is incompatible with the character of the neighborhood and would bring increased traffic, noise, parking impacts, disruption, and declines in nearby property values.

Rather than permanently removing this irreplaceable asset from public use through a sale, we strongly support proceeding with the conditions assessment and feasibility study requested by the Wilton HDHP Committee to evaluate sustainable, community-based options. This transparent process is the responsible path forward and allows the Town to meet its legal and moral obligations, protect this historic resource, and ensure the G&B School continues to serve the Georgetown, Wilton, and surrounding communities for generations to come.

This building was entrusted to the Town for the benefit of the public. It must not be sold off.

(When signing this petition, please make sure that your address/location is correct by clicking on the pencil icon in the Location field beneath your email. Doing so ensures that your proper zip code is recorded, which is critical.  The more local zip codes, the stronger the petition. )