Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 11/7/2023
AMHERST — Town taxpayers who voted strongly in favor of supporting the financial burden for a new elementary school will likely see a significant reduction in their costs for the project after a vote by the state agency overseeing new public-school construction.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority announced late last month that it will add a $9.7 million increase for the town’s grant to be applied to the Amherst Elementary School at Fort River. An Oct. 26 vote by the MSBA Board Directors raised construction and site caps by 31%, increasing them from $432 to $568 per square foot.
The move reduces the amount of financial support extended by the town of Amherst.
Anser Advisory, the town’s owner’s project manager estimated the additional share costs for the MSBA at the almost $10 million figure, saving Amherst taxpayers that amount in reimbursement.
Back in May, 81% of voters passed a debt exclusion override after the Town Council approved the borrowing of funds, pulling $5 million in reserves to reduce cost to taxpayers and allowing the construction project to move ahead.
“We were thrilled to hear this news for the school,” said Cathy Schoen, chair of the Building Committee. “We owe major thanks to [state] Sen. Jo Comerford [D-Northampton] and House Rep. Mindy Domb [D-Amherst] who worked tirelessly to increase MSBA funds to benefit Amherst and other communities.”
Town Manager Paul Bockelman applauded the announcement.
“This addition to our grant would not have happened without the continued advocacy by councilors and our state Legislators. They made this happen,” he said. “Town staff and the Elementary School Building Committee chaired by Councilor Cathy Schoen will continue to be diligent in managing the costs of the project and we continue to seek additional funds to reduce the impact on taxpayers.”
Calling the MSBA vote, “a vote for our taxpayers,” Town Council President Lynn Griesemer praised the work of the region’s state officials.
“We all owe a heartfelt thank you to Senator Jo Comerford and Representative Mindy Domb for their continued advocacy for these additional funds,” she said.
The exact amount of the updated MSBA grant will not be finalized until a new funding agreement with the town is signed.
The new K-5 school will house up to 575 students with sixth grade students moving to the middle school.
The construction of the new three-story, net-zero elementary school, which will feature renewable energy sources, is set to replace the current Wildwood and Fort River schools. It is set on the existing Fort River site is expected to open in the fall of 2026.