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Winchester selectmen authorize state grant, local share and building committee for Pearson School roof
Summary
The Winchester Board of Selectmen approved five resolutions to move forward with the Isabella M. Pearson School roof project: authorizing the Board of Education to apply for a state grant, approving schematic work, confirming $2,898,670 in project revenues and a $807,569 local share, and creating a building committee with applications due April 24.
The Winchester Board of Selectmen on April 6 voted to authorize the town and Board of Education to pursue state grant funding and to form a building committee for the Isabella M. Pearson School roof project.
Town Manager Harrington introduced Roger, the consultant retained to maximize state reimbursement, and outlined five resolutions the state requires as part of a grant application. The board approved the resolution authorizing the Winchester Board of Education to apply to the Commissioner of Education and to accept or reject a grant for the Pearson School roof project.
The board also approved a motion to prepare schematic drawings and outline specifications for the roof and moved to authorize the expenditure of project revenues totaling $2,898,670 to complete the work. Selectmen voted unanimously to finance the town’s local share of $807,569 for the project. Each motion was seconded and carried without recorded opposition.
Selectmen discussed the membership and role of a proposed building committee, including whether selectmen should serve as voting members or in advisory roles. Town Manager Harrington said the board will publish an application form and set a due date of April 24; the board aims to act on appointments at its May 4 meeting. Roger said the town expects to post an architect RFP in May and recommended a five‑to‑seven‑member committee to keep the group workable.
Harrington told the board the project stems from a recent referendum and that maximizing state reimbursement requires the formal actions just approved. He emphasized that certain motions and financial certifications must be presented in the wording the state requires so the town can upload those documents as separate items.
The board’s actions clear procedural hurdles for the project to move from referendum approval toward design and bidding. The next steps are: advertise and receive applications for the building committee, shortlist and interview architect firms per the RFP timeline, and confirm membership so schematic work can begin.
The board took the votes during its regular meeting; all resolutions related to the Pearson roof passed unanimously.
