The Chilmark Preschool got the green light this week to start construction on the new school.  

The Chilmark select board gave its final approval at a meeting Tuesday after months of back-and-forth to get necessary approvals and documents in order.  

In 2023, the town voted to construct a new preschool during the annual town meeting and then decided to build the facility on town-owned land. Last summer, the building plans were approved and the preschool began the process to get other necessary approvals.  

In addition to building approvals, the lease between the school and town has been solidified. The summer-use agreement was also approved, which details responsibilites between the town and preschool while construction is underway this summer.

There are a few minor details involving energy usage to be ironed out with Adam Petkus, the town building inspector, but he said it should not be a problem.  

“Everything has been addressed,” he said at the meeting. “The lease is the biggest thing. The energy is there. It’s just what mechanism they’re going to use, but I feel very confident that I can allow them to proceed once the lease has been signed.” 

The new preschool is planned to be approximately 2,600 square feet and will have two classrooms, two bathrooms, faculty rooms and a foyer. It will be located across from the elementary school on the opposite side of the current playground. 

Select board member Jeffrey Maida thanked everyone involved for bringing the lease and overall project over the finish line.  

“I appreciate all the work you did, sitting down and actually finalizing the lease,” he said. “I know it was a lot of work and a lot of time and thank you all for doing that.”