LETTER: Selectman DePalma Clarifies Comments Regarding Shawsheen Tech

To Wilmington Residents,

First, let me state that the Shawsheen Tech is a very important part of our educational system.

What I’m concerned with is the cost. The Town of Wilmington is in the process of building a new K-5 school. There is already discussion of a second K-5 school in the near future.

The Tech has applied for a $400 million dollar new school. Before I commit to a possible $100 million dollar bill, I want to make sure we can still build our K-5 and pay for the Tech without raising taxes. How much more can the taxpayers afford?

Sincerely,

Gary DePalma, Select Board

Editor’s Note: While the $100 million and $400 million numbers have been bandied about on social media, those numbers do not come from the Shawsheen Tech or the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The Shawsheen Tech is just at the beginning stages of the MSBA process — still in Module #1 (out of 9), called ‘The Eligibility Stage.” (Details HERE.) Wilmington voters — as well as votes in Bedford, Billerica, Burlington and Tewksbury — will be asked to fund a Feasibility Study at their respective Annual Town Meetings this spring. The true cost of the project will not be known until Module #5, following the hiring of a Project Team, a completed Feasibility Study, and a finalized Schematic Design phase. It should be noted that renovation and addition, not just new construction, will be considered. An unknown, yet sizeable portion of the project will be reimbursed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority. Town Manager Eric Slagle recently stated Wilmington would likely be responsible for 21%-$25% of non-reimbursed costs, assuming a majority — possibly super majority — of the five sending communities vote in favor of funding the project in a vote. Slagle also noted the MSBA process takes 3-5 years.  While Selectman DePalma’s numbers may turn out to be accurate, it is very early in the process.

Like Wilmington Apple on Facebook. Follow Wilmington Apple on Twitter. Follow Wilmington Apple on Instagram. Subscribe to Wilmington Apple’s daily email newsletter HERE. Got a comment, question, photo, press release, or news tip? Email wilmingtonapple@gmail.com.