This afternoon, April 26, at 4 p.m., the Camden Historic Resources Committee and the Camden Select Board are touring the Montessori School (Elm Street School) and then returning to the Town Office for a 4:30 p.m. workshop.

The agenda includes touring the school with Superintendent Maria Libby and Architect Joe Rusillo, Maple Street Design Studio, in Camden.

A shortage of workforce housing has compelled School Administrative District 28 to convert the Elm Street School, located on the corner of Elm and Union streets in Camden, to apartments for teachers by Fall 2027. The idea was introduced to the Camden Select Board Feb. 6 at a regularly scheduled meeting, with SAD 28 and Five Town CSD Superintendent Maria Libby proposing a zoning change on that lot to allow for the creation of ground floor apartments.

If approved by Camden voters, the zoning change would enable a full three-story build-out of eight to 10 apartments, said Libby. If not approved, she envisions the school building’s second and third floors to be renovated into apartments, and the ground floor used for other educational purposes.