By Joan F. Simoneau, Community Reporter
Marlborough – At its May 21 meeting, the City Council approved funding of nearly $23.5 million for repairs to the Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School (AVRTHS). The funds will be appropriated over a 30-year period.
Marlborough joins the six other AVRTHS member communities – Westborough, Southborough, Northborough, Berlin, Hudson and Maynard – in supporting the proposed $62.4 million repair project, which includes the replacement of the roof, windows and doors, and the heating and ventilation systems. Superintendent Mary Jo Nawrocki said she was very pleased with the unanimous vote of the City Council and looked forward to a meeting in early June with the Assabet School Building Committee to discuss the next steps.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority has committed to funding more than half the cost of the project. In appealing to the seven member communities, Nawrocki said that the building, which opened in 1973, is structurally sound, but much of the infrastructure needs to be repaired. With the exception of contributing to the cost of a new roof in 1986, the communities have not been asked to appropriate any money.
The regional school agreement specifies how the debt impact will be apportioned among the communities, using an average three-year-student enrollment. The city of Marlborough is responsible for 49 percent of the cost.
In other business, the council accepted a communication from Mayor Arthur Vigeant announcing Building Commissioner Steve Reid's retirement at the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
“I appreciate the confidence and support that you and past city officials have offered,” said Reid in a letter to the mayor.?”Working together has made Marlborough a much better place.”
In his?communication to the council, Vigeant said, “Steve has been a dedicated employee and I know that you will join me in expressing our sincere gratitude to him for his service and wish him the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his life.”
Members of the council praised Reid for the help he had always readily offered and wished him “all the best.”