LEVERETT — Even as the ongoing roof replacement at the Amherst Regional Middle School is expected to come in below the original $9.83 million construction estimate, Leverett officials will allow the regional schools to continue holding the town’s appropriation.
The Select Board Tuesday voted unanimously to have the school district keep Leverett’s expenditure until the project is complete, with the caveat that should there be any changes to the scope of the project, town officials would be notified.
Shannon Bernacchia, executive director of Finance and Operations for the schools, explained that the Massachusetts School Building Authority, which is helping to fund the work with a nearly 62% reimbursement, is in the midst of reclaiming its money.
The option for the four-member towns, which also include Shutesbury, Pelham and Amherst, was to do a similar immediate reclamation of their borrowing costs, or to have the regional schools keep the original appropriation in case additional contingency is needed.
Bernacchia said holding the money is seen as “more as a cautionary thing” and that the appropriations will still be returned to each town at the close out of the project later this year.
The Regional School Committee in April awarded the project to Silktown Roofing Inc. for $5.57 million, with an additional $1.16 million to also do the auditorium roof, a cost that is being covered by Amherst through an $1.6 million appropriation, and which is also not eligible for reimbursement.
Already, some of the $400,000 or so in contingency has been needed this summer, Bernacchia said, explaining that an asbestos-covered pipe was discovered.
Select Board member Tom Hankinson said town officials have good faith in the regional schools and that having the money held by the region is not a risk.
Still, Finance Committee member Geoff Allen said he was concerned about the process and how the regional schools were appropriating money for the roof.
Another resident, Richard Nathhorst, who handled facilities management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, said the danger of leaving the money with the schools is the contractor will find “nice-to-dos” that will add costs, and it’s safer for Leverett to have the money returned as soon as possible.
Deputy fire chief honored
The Select Board also used its meeting to honor retiring Deputy Fire Chief Amy Rice for her 21 years of service to the Fire Department, including a tenure as interim fire chief for several months in the past year.
“We just really appreciate you and thank you for your service,” said Chairwoman Patricia Duffy.
Rice, who works professionally as a nurse and administrator, observed that her uncle, John Morruzi, was fire chief when she began, and her father, John Field, was also a firefighter, and joining the department when she returned to her hometown was the best decision she made.
“I loved doing it and giving back to the community, neighbors and family,” Rice said. But she added that it’s time to not have to worry about getting up in the middle of the night for emergencies.
In other business, the Select Board agreed to apply for a $400,000 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism to fund repairs for the dam next to the North Leverett Sawmill.
Donald Robinson, president of the Friends of the North Leverett Sawmill, noted that a successful application would go a long way toward completing necessary repairs and supporting the neighboring mill pond, which serves as a vital water source for the Fire Department. Susan Lynton, treasurer for the Friends group, added that letters of support for the project have already been secured from both Historic Deerfield and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
The board also discussed state policy with Corinne Coryat, one of three candidates competing to represent the 1st Franklin district in the Legislature. Coryat, the former chief of staff for Rep. Natalie Blais, D-Deerfield, stated that if elected, she intends to champion regional equity issues, specifically targeting rural education funding deficiencies in western Massachusetts. Her platform priorities also include reforming the Chapter 70 education formula, strengthening climate resilience and infrastructure and supporting Medicare for All.
The board awarded a $74,341 contract to John Deere dealer United Ag & Turf for the purchase of a new tractor to be used at the elementary school.
Additionally, Arlyn Diamond was officially appointed to the Capital Planning Committee.
