Council Vote Moves Middle School Renovation Foward

The town will move forward with analysis of a near $100 million proposal that would allow for the DePaolo and Kennedy middle schools to be renovated as new after the project received unanimous support from the Town Council Monday evening.

The council voted 8-0, with Councilman Christopher Palmieri abstaining, to move forward in pursuing a referendum in November that, if approved by the voters would send the project into motion.

At Issue

Board of Education members voted unanimously last month to move forward with a $99.8 million proposed master control budget to renovate-as-new both middle schools. The project would allow for the expansion of the schools to approximately 141,000 square feet each.

The schools were built in 1963 and 1967, and the designs were virtually identical at that time, said Joseph G. Costa, principal of Fletcher Thompson, the architecture firm designed to conduct the town’s middle school feasibility study and design the renovations. Costa said the plan is to keep the parity in order to move into the future with both as “life schools.”

The proposal would leave the town responsible for approximately $49.9 million in costs to be paid through bonding, while the state would pick up the remainder of the cost.

What’s Next?

With the approval Tuesday, the proposal is now referred to the Board of Finance, which will be responsible for looking at the proposed master budget line by line and make any adjustments before voting on a final budget.

The Board of Finance, which will take the issue up after a public hearing Wednesday, will be looking for potential savings in the budget such as removing air conditioning from non-essential parts of the school and will also consider whether there should be any additions, such as the use of solar panels on the roof – suggestions made by town residents Art Cyr and Sandra Feld Monday evening.

Once a budget is reached, it will be sent back to the council to be set for referendum.

‘Speaking’ of...

“The buildings are beautiful and the concepts already in place are great,” said Councilman Anthony D’Angelo. “It is a needed project, but we still have to look at ways to cut costs.”

“When you look at first-class communities, buildings such as schools are something that people can be proud of and can be a draw for new development,” said Councilman John Barry. “The question is, can we afford this? I hope the answer is yes because it’s something the town needs.”

“This is important in drawing economic development,” said Council Chairman Edward Pocock III. “When businesses look at a town, they look at the schools and infrastructure and that’s an important point that has to be out there moving forward.”