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Stop or keep going? Holbrook suggests thinking the school project over |
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Thursday, 26 February 2009 |
BY ABBY FOX
Bob Holbrook, a Town Council member for eight years, a School Committee member for 12, and a Planning Board member for the past few years, asked the town council last week whether we all should pause before embarking on the $52 million school project, to hold a public meeting and ask voters to discuss whether they think the town can still afford it, in light of the nation’s economic distress. He also wrote a letter to the editor in last week’s Pendulum, asking people to ponder taking a break to think it over.
Town and school officials were quick to say, politely, no.
“He’s had the opportunity to express that view,” President Michael Isaacs said. “I haven’t heard any feedback from school committee or council members expressing the view that we should put the school project on hold. Right now everything’s moving forward.”
School committee chair Jean Ann Guliano said, “There’s two main reasons” for not stopping: one, “our reimbursement from the state is tied to us completing this on time and any delays would jeopardize our [30- percent] reimbursement,” and two, the high school wants to immediately get the science labs up to standards. “I don’t see how we can delay it,” she said, though, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Bob; he’s one of my mentors. I think the world of him. I respect his opinion deeply,” and, “If there’s any way we can save money,” or “If there’s a way to guarantee the project, if anything changes financially,” she would want to do it.
“We can certainly be mindful of the economic issues; we can figure out the best way to do this over time,” she said. “This project has so much oversight; so much thought has gone into this. We’re on top of the department of Ed all the time, and the legislators, making sure the reimbursement is going to be there. I don’t worry about that. I’m confident we can get this done on or under budget.”
Superintendent Charlie Meyers said, “I understand Bob’s concerns, but we’ve been assured that we will be reimbursed and waiting will only increase the cost. We’re on a schedule, we already have public funds invested, and if we don’t stay, we’ll need to submit a new application, which may jeopardize the reimbursement.” And on a good note, “We expect we’ll get some favorable and very competitive bids, given the financial climate.”
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