Small state grants eyed for school capital: generator for Squannacook, entryway repairs in Pepperell discussed

The finance subcommittee reviewed initial ideas for using two small state infrastructure grants that were recently allocated to the district by Sen. Cronin and Sen. Kennedy.

Brad Morgan, the superintendent, told the committee that Senator Kennedy’s $150,000 allotment is earmarked for Pepperell, where preliminary discussions have focused on repairs to the Varnum Brook front entry circle and wall. Morgan said the work addresses failing masonry that has not been eligible for capital funding to date.

For Ashby and Townsend, Morgan said funds from Senator Cronin are being considered to “hook Squannacook up to a generator.” He described Squannacook as the only school in the district without a backup generator and said wiring and connection costs alone could be “basically in the $100,000 range.” He emphasized that final decisions would be brought to the school committee and that the finance subcommittee should consider recommendations before the August meeting.

Why it matters: A generator and reliable entry repairs can affect building operations during outages, support preschool and rental uses, and — if sited at a shelter-designated building — expand local emergency response capacity. Committee members asked staff to develop costed options and return with recommendations to the finance subcommittee or full committee in August.

Next steps: Morgan said he would prepare recommendations, and members agreed to schedule a finance subcommittee meeting before the full school committee’s regular August session to review proposals. Any spending of the state allocations will be subject to committee approval and appropriate procurement.