Taxpayer asks board to publish EEI study and cost estimates for Washington Street School

Summary

A Salisbury resident asked the board to make public an EEI facilities study and invoice, saying earlier estimates place renovation costs at $10–$14 million and that the district paid $22,600 to EEI; the resident also raised asbestos-cost concerns and requested the study be formally presented to the board.

During public comment on Dec. 1, Louise Andrews of Salisbury urged the Merrimack Valley School Board to publish and formally present an EEI study on the Washington Street School. Andrews said the board previously authorized up to $30,000 for a study and that EEI reported a $10–$14 million estimate to update the building. She said she had an EEI invoice for $22,600 and that she had requested but not received a copy of the study.

Andrews urged transparency and said the district should present the study to the board and make it available to the public so taxpayers can evaluate options; she also asked for clarity about asbestos risks and the potential costs should asbestos be exposed during renovation. She said she would pursue the matter further until the study is made public and the board takes formal action.

The board did not provide a substantive response in the recorded public-comment segment; Andrews’ requests were left on the public record and flagged for follow-up with facilities staff.