By Pamela Metaxas, The Republican
March 09, 2010, 8:30PM
CHICOPEE – A proposal to appropriate $1 million for a feasibility study to renovate the former Chicopee High School has been approved by the Human Resources Committee and is headed for a final vote before the City Council Tuesday.
Initial plans are to renovate the former high school into a middle school, replacing Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School which would become an elementary school. The changes would promp some redistricting and save an estimated $250,000 in busing costs.
Ward 6 Councilor Timothy S. McLellan, committee chairman, said a meeting with several School Committee members and School Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr. was “beneficial both for the City Council and the School Committee. I absolutely believe this will be approved by the council.
“We wanted to make sure the School Committee was on board for this. We learned from the superintendent we could get from 65 to 70 percent back from the state,” said McLellan.
The study is required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to qualify for partial reimbursement as well to proceed with the project. Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said the architectural and engineering study of the 173,000 square foot school is required by the state before the project can proceed and funds are authorized for the renovation. The state determines the cost based on similar projects with similar square footage, the mayor said.
Rege has said the city is also required to submit a list of members of the project’s building commission with five members selected by the City Council and the initial compliance certificate signed by both the mayor and superintendent of schools.
Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette presented the $1 million request at the last council meeting but some concerns prompted its referral to committee.
Rege has said the project estimated at $15 million will go out to bid within six months.
Councilor-At-Large James K. Tillotson said there were concerns raised about paying for a feasibility study but “if you want to get the reimbursement, you have to play by their rules.”
Councilor-At-Large Robert J. Zygarowski said “It was a very good meeting. I think it’s in the best interest of the city. It’s a beautiful building and it will stay in the educational community.”
Published by: MassLive.Com
March 09, 2010, 8:30PM
CHICOPEE – A proposal to appropriate $1 million for a feasibility study to renovate the former Chicopee High School has been approved by the Human Resources Committee and is headed for a final vote before the City Council Tuesday.
Initial plans are to renovate the former high school into a middle school, replacing Fairview Veterans Memorial Middle School which would become an elementary school. The changes would promp some redistricting and save an estimated $250,000 in busing costs.
Ward 6 Councilor Timothy S. McLellan, committee chairman, said a meeting with several School Committee members and School Superintendent Richard W. Rege Jr. was “beneficial both for the City Council and the School Committee. I absolutely believe this will be approved by the council.
“We wanted to make sure the School Committee was on board for this. We learned from the superintendent we could get from 65 to 70 percent back from the state,” said McLellan.
The study is required by the Massachusetts School Building Authority to qualify for partial reimbursement as well to proceed with the project. Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette said the architectural and engineering study of the 173,000 square foot school is required by the state before the project can proceed and funds are authorized for the renovation. The state determines the cost based on similar projects with similar square footage, the mayor said.
Rege has said the city is also required to submit a list of members of the project’s building commission with five members selected by the City Council and the initial compliance certificate signed by both the mayor and superintendent of schools.
Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette presented the $1 million request at the last council meeting but some concerns prompted its referral to committee.
Rege has said the project estimated at $15 million will go out to bid within six months.
Councilor-At-Large James K. Tillotson said there were concerns raised about paying for a feasibility study but “if you want to get the reimbursement, you have to play by their rules.”
Councilor-At-Large Robert J. Zygarowski said “It was a very good meeting. I think it’s in the best interest of the city. It’s a beautiful building and it will stay in the educational community.”
Published by: MassLive.Com
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