Melrose Public School District schedules public hearing on abatement bond to rebuild parking lots and replace aging water line

The Melrose Public School District board voted to schedule a public hearing at its next regular meeting on a proposed abatement bond that would fund reconstruction of district parking lots, safety improvements for bus and parent drop-off areas and phased replacement of an aging south water service line.

District officials told the board the project would proceed in two phases: a first phase next summer focusing on the northern and western lots, and a second phase the following summer addressing the southern lots alongside planned water-service replacement. Presenters said the existing south water main has leaked multiple times and likely requires full replacement rather than a liner.

Officials said the abatement bond has been structured to be tax-neutral: one existing bond is scheduled to retire while the abatement bond would begin, and the district would add a debt-service levy spread across taxpayers in the same manner as other debt service levies. Board members were told the levy would be calculated at 105% of debt service and would be eligible for state bond aids where applicable.

Board members discussed the list of tax parcels included in the resolution and were told that the parcel list provided in the paperwork is not exhaustive; it is intended to meet statutory requirements tied to calculating the levy amounts, not to single out all district parcels. The board said it will solicit community input, including from bus drivers and public-safety officials (police and fire), when the public hearing is held.

No final vote on issuing the bond was taken at the meeting; the next step is the public hearing at the next regular board meeting, after which the board may take formal action.