By Joan F. Simoneau, Contributing Writer
Marlborough – The City Council approved financial decisions totaling more than $70 million at its Dec. 19 meeting, the last session of the year.
The council approved transfers to fund a union contract, voted for a pending $500,000 grant, agreed to borrow $7.5 million to renovate two schools, learned of a $290,000 grant to help pay for renovations to the Westerly Treatment Plant and were advised that the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School's (AVRTHS) renovation project will cost more than $62 million.
In a communication from Mayor Nancy E. Stevens, she stated that the $7.5 million bond would pay for renovating the high school on Bolton Street and the Kane School on Farm Road. The city received almost 55 percent of the cost from the state, leaving $3.4 million to be borrowed.
The loan with the most impact is the $62 million bond for the total renovation of AVRTHS. The state has committed more than 50 percent of the cost – up to $33 million for the project. Marlborough will be paying a share of the $33 million according to documents that created the AVRTHS District in the late 1960s. The school was completed in 1973.
Students from Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, Berlin, Westborough, Northborough and Southborough are members of the district. The scope of the project includes repairs to the roof, heating and cooling systems, doors, plumbing and lighting systems, a new safety system, and renovation to existing science rooms. Councilors and other city officials were invited to a project update earlier this month in an effort to keep everyone informed about the project's progress.
The council voted unanimously to accept a $500,000 grant application to help defray the cost of renovating Memorial Beach. Lawmakers have already approved $30,000 to fund the master plan and design work. Proposed by Conservation Officer Priscilla Ryder, Ward 6 Councilor Ed Clancy made a motion to dedicate the beach area for recreation purposes. It was approved by the full council.
Stevens also advised lawmakers that another grant to help defray the cost of federally mandated renovations at the Westerly Treatment Plant is needed. The grant of $291,000 brings the amount of grants for the project to more than $14 million, she said.