9 November, 2015
After passing the special town meeting last week, the $43,229,373 elementary school project passed the special town election 1211-431. A grant from the Massachusetts School Building Authority will pay $14,058,457 (nearly 33% of cost) toward the project but the cost to the town will be $29,170,916. The new school is slated to open in Fall 2018. The average household will pay approximately $435/year in taxes. The school is set to be built on the "Irvine Property" located at 135 Hayden Rowe Street.
The other question on the ballot, an indoor practice facility at the fruit street fields had a closer result but passed 873-761. The project will cost the town $500,000. The Board of Selectmen voted against the indoor facility 4-1, while the Appropriation Committee unanimously disapproved the project at the special town meeting. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the project which will be used for soccer, lacrosse and other activities.
