The North Middlesex Regional School Committee voted unanimously Dec. 16 to accept a $60,000 FY26 municipal ADA improvement planning grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Administration and Finance to fund an ADA self-assessment of district buildings in Pepperell and Townsend and to position the district for possible implementation funding.

Dr. Gary Barboa Reese, who applied for the grant, explained the award covers a planning/self-assessment phase; prior years have offered a follow-on implementation grant to address identified needs. The committee noted the grant supports hiring a consultant to identify potential ADA noncompliance and to create a plan for improvements that could be eligible for implementation funding in a subsequent round.

Separately, the committee discussed an ADA complaint filed for Ashby Elementary’s front walkway and accessible parking. Superintendent Brad Morgan and staff said a state inspector is scheduled to evaluate the site on Thursday and that district representatives (including building staff) will be present. Morgan asked the committee to expect results to be forwarded by the town administrator and to be routed to the committee as soon as they are available.

Committee members discussed the financial and operational implications of reopening Ashby Elementary. Morgan said preliminary estimates for reopening Ashby without ADA remediation amounted to roughly $1.6 million; he also cited a recent 'clawback' figure of about $273,000 for Ashby (state reimbursement clawbacks related to MSBA funding) and noted that some capital estimates could be lower if the building remains closed. The district currently budgets about $147,000 for utilities, snow removal and scheduled maintenance at the closed Ashby site.

Members requested additional information before a final reopening decision, including special-education space needs, solar/PPA early-termination costs and results of a town survey in Ashby; Morgan asked the committee to provide direction at the Jan. 20 meeting with requested materials at least one week in advance.