Published in the October 15, 2015 edition
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING — A miniscule audience of 46 voters turned out for the second session of Town Meeting Thursday night, making a $1.76 million decision to authorize replacement/repair of the Little School roof and to take advantage of 46 percent reimbursement for the project under a special state program.
From the opening to closing gavel, the entire session lasted 18 minutes and the vote to approve the roof article was unanimous.
The tiny size of the group of voters – it could not accurately be described as a crowd – was predictable given the fact that the roof repair was deliberately held over from the first session of Town Meeting, which attracted only 90 voters. The school roof article was postponed for 72 hours at the Selectmen’s request in time to give town officials the chance to study a consultant’s report and crunch the numbers.
During that time, the School Committee, Selectmen and Finance Committee met for several hours going over the cost associated with the project as well as alternative approaches to fixing the roof.
The purpose of the Town Meeting vote was to take advantage of an accelerated repair program offered by the Mass. School Building Authority. North Reading was accepted into the program last January and stands to receive 46 percent reimbursement (about $800,000) of the cost of the total roof replacement costs.
The roof project won’t begin until the summer of next year, which gives the town plenty of time to further refine the project. Thursday’s vote was just to authorize the Selectmen to bond the maximum cost of the project – the final cost could be less expensive based on a number of factors, explained Selectman Stephen O’Leary.
“This is the most expensive it is going to be,” said O’Leary. The town’s borrowing cost would be a little over $900,000.
The school department applied for the accelerated repair program back in February and personnel from the MSBA visited the town and inspected the Little School in May. North Reading’s appliction was approved by the MSBA in June and later that month the Finance Committee approved $40,000 to pay for a feasibility study and project manager. Tests were made on the Little School roof, including core samples, in September and the consultant’s report was received on Sept. 29.
In order to secure the MSBA 46 percent funding, Town Meeting had to vote to authorize the project before the end of the year, which explains the accelerated schedule to get the voters to act, O’Leary explained.
“Otherwise, the opportunity passes us by,” he stated.
The very first numbers floated for the roof repair were in the vicinity of $263,000, but that was before the extensive feasibilty study, including core samples and an infra red scan for wet spots, was conducted. “The school roof is 25–years–old and considered to be at the end of its useful life. With the opportunity to have 46 percent reimbursement from the state, that’s worth considering and acting on,” he added.
Although Town Meeting gave its authorization for the full amount, “I can assure you over the next few months, the School Committee, Selectmen and Finance Committee will be combing through the details looking at alternative plans and proposals along with what’s being proposed.”
“It won’t be spent unless the Selectmen determine that it’s in our best interests.”
Questions from the audience were limited, but sincere.
Irene Yull of Park St. noted the $1.75 million price tag is steep, and asked if it’s for a roof repair or replacement.
O’Leary replied the proposal is to replace the roof. There is an alternative to repair the roof that’s less expensive but there’s a trade off: the repair job comes with only a 15 year warranty while a new roof is guaranteed for 25 years.
“We will be looking at all the alternatives. The current proposal is replacement, but that doesn’t mean repair is out of the question. But appears right now the most cost effective approach is repair,” O’Leary stated.
Ed McGrath of Laurel Rd. inquired whether the roof design would be able to accommodate solar panels anytime in the future (if it becomes economically feasible).
O’Leary said it hasn’t been considered at this time but he feels it would be structurally feasible if the town ever decides to go that route.
Joe Veno, 11 Rock St., asked if the project would require an override vote.
“Absolutely not,” said O’Leary.
After the vote was taken, Selectmen Chairman Robert Mauceri thanked the members of the public who took the trouble to come out and attend to the town’s business.