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Chariho OKs $95,000 in capital dollars for Richmond Elementary playground
Summary
The Chariho School Committee approved moving $95,000 in capital funds to Richmond Elementary’s playground project; the district said it expects School Building Authority reimbursement of up to 61% and noted timelines depend on vendor availability and compliance with state guidelines.
The Chariho School Committee on July 15 approved a $95,000 capital allocation to fund new playground equipment at Richmond Elementary School, with staff noting that the district has received stage‑2 approval from the School Building Authority and expects approximately 61% reimbursement for eligible costs.
Administration recommended the transfer to the Richmond project and said the district will also apply a $25,000 grant and a $15,000 fundraiser contribution from the Matty Potts Foundation toward the work. Committee members asked whether equipment from Hope Valley could be reused; staff said any reused equipment must be reviewed and approved by a playground‑safety adviser and that removing equipment can void grandfathered accessibility provisions.
Members also discussed procurement options. Using vendors on the state MPA list could speed delivery (staff suggested a late‑fall installation window for one vendor), while going to an RFP could increase costs because MPA vendors commonly bid higher when forced to formally bid. The committee approved the capital transfer with one abstention.
Administration cautioned that the $95,000 allocation is intended for the Richmond project only and that state reimbursement caps apply to the eligible portion of a larger playground cost if the final structure exceeds the approved amount.
