Auctioneer Adrian Harris of Farmington congratulates Buster Pinkham on his purchase of the Central School on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the public auction. Pinkham had the winning bid of $40,500. (Laura Dunham photo) NEW PORTLAND — “Everyone has a dream,” said Buster and Judy Pinkham when they became the new owners of the Central School on Wednesday, Oct. 28 following a public auction.

Adrian Harris, owner of Harris Real Estate of Farmington, conducted the auction held in the 100-foot by 80-foot gym at the school. The bids finally came down to Leslie Jordan, owner of Jordan Excavation of Kingfield, and Buster Pinkham, owner of Happy Horseshoe Campground.

Harris opened the bid at $100,000 and kept working down with Jordan offering $40,000 before pulling out of the bidding process. Pinkham then went $500 more and offered the winning bid of $40,500. Over three acres of land went with the property.

Harris was selling the property for the Pease heirs. The land that the school was located on was donated by the late Etta Chase in 1938. The school was built about 1940 with additional classrooms built on in 1960 then the gym, stage and new kitchen office and hallway in the 1980s.

Ezra Pease, one of the heirs, said he was glad to see the buildings sold and not torn down which has been one of the discussed solutions to the complex since the school closed to students in June. But Pease said “it’s a shame the school had to close I never saw this coming, after all he graduated from the school in 1962.

“First our only store closed, then the bridge was taken out in May and then the school closed,” said Pease.

“I hardly know what the North Village looks like it’s been so long since I have been able to go up there with the bridge closed for the past six months,” Pease, who lives across from the school, said.

The bridge is scheduled to re-open on Nov. 6 (much to the delight of residents).

Buster Pinkham said that he and his wife, Judy, are extremely excited about the purchase of the school, “We’re just having a great time right now dreaming about what we want to see in the building.” One of those possibilities is elderly housing, which everyone knows is a need in the area but Pinkham said he is open to suggestions.

“Right now, my main objective is to get all the pipes drained before winter,” said Pinkham.

“It’s a nice building,” said Pinkham and he should know after going through six years of school there and graduating in 1961.