Northborough seeks state funding for Proctor School roof repairs

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Northborough seeks state funding for Proctor School roof repairs
Snow piles in front of Proctor School. (Photo/Ben Domaingue)

NORTHBOROUGH – Northborough’s Fannie E. Proctor roof may soon get repairs after the School Committee gave Superintendent Greg Martineau the authority to submit a statement of interest to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) during their Feb. 2 meeting.

MSBA is accepting statements of interest for its accelerated repair program. That program focuses on repairing and replacing roofs and windows as well as doors and boilers. 

The School Committee discussed the Proctor roof project in January. At that time, Martineau estimated that it could cost just over $1.5 million. 

“It is a significant project,” Martineau said.

Roof experiences drainage issues

This work would replace Proctor’s 40,000-square-foot roofing system, which has ruptured seams, a punctured membrane and water damage.

School and town staff decided not to have a Town Meeting warrant article for the project for this year. Instead, they opted to place it on the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, capital plan and Town Meeting warrant.

“That will give us time to go through the MSBA Accelerated Repair Program and hopefully get reimbursement, which is a significant dollar amount,” Martineau said. 

After looking at the ages of the roofs and learning more about some of the challenges at Proctor, the district realized that Proctor was the “major priority,” Martineau said. 

“My kids have come home and said that some classrooms have to have buckets in them when it rains a lot. … Is it wise to put it off until 2024? Or is the hope that we’ll get the funding sooner?” said School Committee member Kelly Guenette. 

Martineau said the MSBA reimbursement would be in the range of 60 percent.

“When you’re talking about a $1.5 million project — I don’t think we really have the option to move forward without MSBA reimbursement,” Martineau said. 

District to wait for MSBA decision on application

During the Feb. 2 meeting, Martineau estimated that they would hear in the fall if MSBA accepted Northborough’s application. 

In the meantime, district staff have put mitigation measures in place to make sure there is proper drainage. 

The district will also need the support from the Northborough Board of Selectmen to move its statement of interest forward.

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