Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
West Bridgewater panel endorses five‑year capital plan, prioritizing school safety upgrades
Summary
The West Bridgewater School Committee endorsed a FY27–FY31 capital plan that moves safety upgrades to the top of the list, approving controlled‑entry door systems, intercom and alarm replacements, and paving/window repairs at district schools.
The West Bridgewater School Committee on March 9 endorsed a five‑year capital budget that reprioritizes projects around student and staff safety.
The committee voted to approve the FY27 proposed capital plan after Superintendent-level staff presented a revised list that moved safety and security projects to the top. The revised priorities include two‑door controlled‑entry (sallyport) systems for Rosel McDonald and Spring Street schools, replacement of antiquated intercoms, fire alarm panel upgrades (noted as urgent at the Howard School and Spring Street), sidewalk and paving repairs at Rosel McDonald, technology refresh for an aging computer lab, and extensive window repairs at the Middle Senior High School to stop leaks.
The presenter said the sallyport quotes are initial estimates and that staff will meet the police chief, fire chief and the building inspector to review plans and gather technical feedback before finalizing costs. A placeholder estimate of approximately $50,000 was included for a Rosel McDonald sidewalk project pending a formal quote.
Committee members asked whether recurring maintenance costs or subscription fees for new systems (for example, intercom platforms) would affect other budget lines; the presenter said warranties and contracts are still being examined and that maintenance cost lines would be reviewed at year‑end and adjusted for next year if needed.
The motion to approve the capital plan passed with the committee endorsing the safety‑first approach; the sidewalk/paving amounts remain pending vendor quotes and will be refined before final appropriation.
The committee will present the capital plan to the town capital budget committee at its March 17 meeting as part of the town-wide capital review process.
