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Winchester officials say Pearson School roof could cost about $2.8 million; town likely to ask voters for $800–$850K
Summary
Town Manager told the Dec. 15 meeting that early estimates put a full tear‑and‑replace roof at Pearson School near $2.8 million and that state reimbursement rules mean the town would likely seek voter authorization for roughly $800,000–$850,000 for the non‑reimbursable portion.
Winchester’s town manager said the Pearson School needs a full tear‑and‑replace roof that early estimates put at about $2.8 million, and that state reimbursement rules should cover roughly 70% of the cost.
Tom Andrew Harrington told the Board of Selectmen on Dec. 15 that the town expects to pay approximately $830,000 in the worst‑case estimate for the portion not reimbursable under state rules. He said the law change now lets municipalities seek voter authorization only for the non‑reimbursable portion rather than the full project cost. Harrington said the board of education is discussing the proposal and that the town will likely be asked to authorize the non‑reimbursable portion by voters when the project is formally presented.
Harrington and board members discussed timing; he said the project would ideally be done in summer 2026 to avoid disrupting school sessions and cautioned that remediation for mold or other hidden damage discovered during removal could increase the final price.
No formal vote or appropriation occurred at the Dec. 15 meeting; Harrington said the board of education was expected to present the project to the board in the new year and the board would decide on timing of a referendum or other steps as project details firm up.
