By Keith Regan, Contributing Writer
WestboroughThe Board of Selectmen voted Feb. 10 to place a warrant article seeking $15.1 million in local funding for the $26.6 million renovation of the Sarah W. Gibbons Middle School before voters at the Annual Town Meeting in March.
The board acknowledged that the building project would likely mean other priorities–such as renovation of the Forbes Municipal Building, where the police department and many town offices are located–have to wait longer in order for the town’s self-imposed policies around fiscal discipline to be met.
The board heard from Gibbons Principal John Foley, who said the project seeks to bring the oldest part of the school–built in 1956–up to code and modern standards. The project includes a new roof and upgrades to security and communications systems across the 110,000 square foot school building.
The board asked whether other options were examined and what would happen if the funding did not win town meeting approval.
Foley said the cost of building a new school would be closer to $50 million, adding that smaller projects would be brought forward for funding if the entire project fails, with some possibly eligible for state reimbursement.
He also noted that the Gibbons project has spent plenty of time on the drawing board. The town first filed a statement of interested with the state’s School Building Authority in 2008 and formed the building committee in 2012.
Over the 20-year repayment of the bond for the project, impact on the average single family home’s tax bill would range from $162 more per year in the first year down to $99 in year 20.
“I don’t know if the price is right because I’m not an expert but I do know there is a need here,” said Selectman Denny Drewry.
In all, the board voted to place 26 articles on the warrant for the March 14 meeting, including the fiscal year 2016 operating budget.