Clarksburg Officials Still Hoping for School Roof Money
CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Town officials are still hoping to get funding to fix the roof at Clarksburg School.
Chairman Ronald Boucher and Select Board member Danielle Luchi voted Wednesday night to send a letter to Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito requesting the visit the school to see the work being accomplished there.
"I think they really need to see it firsthand," said Boucher. "I know Patrick Carnevale (director of the governor's Western Massachusetts office) came out and did his thing, but it's — he's not the person that you need to see this."
The town has been advocating for the governor's office to release an earmark for $500,000 that state Sen. Adam Hinds had placed in a capital spending bill nearly two years ago. The executive office has been reluctant to invest in the school since the town decisively defeated a $19 million addition and renovation project. The Massachusetts School Building Authority and the state Department of Education had determined that the 60-year-old structure does not meet contemporary educational needs.
In the interim, local officials and volunteers have been making repairs and upgrades piecemeal through grants, donations and appropriations. Half a $1 million borrowing approved at the 2019 annual town meeting is set aside specifically for the school.
"I always felt that the governor's office had that impression that this school is crumbling and it's not and that that's why we need him out here to show him that," said Robert Norcross, who has taken the lead in coordinating with the volunteers and tracking priorities.
He and Boucher both acknowledged that while foundation isn't crumbling, the building still needs a lot of work — especially regarding accessibility. So far, a new heating system has been installed, some repairs have been done and there are plans for an accessible bathroom and public address system. Unfortunately, installation of the secure entrance over the holiday break didn't happen because the contractor couldn't pay the bond.
"I do think if there's a big splash enough and we invite the governor's office out, the attorney general, whatever, I think will go a long way," said Norcross. Boucher agreed, adding "the squeaky wheel gets the grease."
In other business, the board confirmed that it will host a joint meeting with the School Committee and library trustees on Feb. 12. The library and school have been at odds over the parking situation at the shared site and trustees were frustrated by recent comments at the School Committee meetings.
Town Administrator Rebecca Stone said she felt horrible that her tossing out the idea of shifting the library to the Community/Senior Center as an example of rethinking things had caused any upset.
"It was nothing that was been talked about, it was just something off the cuff and I think it was taken out of context," she said.
Norcross, however, said he didn't see a problem with her comment.
"I like it that people bring up ideas, because I thought that was an idea that needed to be talked about," he said. "But then again, you know, maybe it's not a good idea. Of course, you stop people from bringing up ideas, you never come up with that one that might work."
Boucher and Luchi hoped that the joint meeting would go a long ways to opening communication and reducing misinformation.
• The board voted to spend $2,373 for a new fire alarm and installation at Town Hall. The old unit is in disrepair and the battery backup doesn't work. It will be moved from the hot furnace room to a location that has a more constant temperature.
• The board also agreed to move to a "single signer" for warrants. Luchi said she had been unsure of the idea but had changed her mind after talking with the town's accountant and treasurer. The chairman was designated the signer and the board will receive a report of the warrants signed.
• Stone reported that she has received all but two departments' budgets so far for the fiscal 2021 budget planning. She said she will not be presenting a capital budget but will be requesting a grant-funded police cruiser replacement.
"I'm not planning on putting together any capital projects for the town because, I think most of you know, we have probably 18 or so projects on that list to get done," she said. "I don't see any reason why I should be putting in capital projects at this time."
One of these is the West Road culvert replacement and she said she had met with Highway Foreman Kyle Hurlbut and the town's engineering firm Foresight Services. "It's a huge project," she said. "We're looking at easily a half million dollars."
Also on tap is an estimated $50,000 sewer engineering study for upgrades to meet the requirements of the Hoosac Water Quality District. The money will come out of the sewer enterprise fund, which is supported by the sewer ratepayers.
The status of projects and grants is on the agenda for Monday's Finance Committee meeting.
Tags: Clarksburg School,
