Southborough committee outlines stakes, costs and next steps before two votes on proposed Neary school project

The NHERI Building Committee said Monday that next week’s two votes on a proposed new Neary School will determine whether Southborough can accept a $35,000,000 Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) grant and proceed to design and construction.

The committee’s chair, Jason Malinowski, told residents the proposal needs a two-thirds affirmative vote at the special town meeting on Saturday and a separate majority vote on the Tuesday ballot for the project to move forward. Malinowski urged residents to participate in both votes, saying, “It is important that if you have a view on this project one way or another, you should express it at both meetings.”

Why it matters: The MSBA award is time-limited and conditions how the town can proceed. Committee members said the grant lowers the town’s net cost for a new Neary School but does not cover all expenses; the town would carry the remainder. Committee leaders described funding, procurement and construction safeguards intended to limit the town’s exposure to rising costs, while residents raised questions about tariffs, contingency funds, capacity and future uses of the Finn School.

Most important facts - Votes required: The special town meeting at Algonquin Regional High School requires a two-thirds affirmative vote to approve the motion that will set the maximum project amount; the Tuesday ballot requires a simple majority to proceed with the project financing and use of the grant. Malinowski said residents must be present at the town meeting to vote; the ballot vote runs during polling hours (6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.) and absentee ballots must be requested by 5 p.m. the day before the election. - Grant and project finances: The MSBA has offered a $35,000,000 grant tied specifically to the Neary project. Committee members told the forum the overall project budget…