by Marty Green
In a nearly unanimous vote Thursday afternoon, the School Building Committee decided that building a new elementary school was a wiser choice than renovating the existing one. Nine of the 10 voting members on the committee opted for new construction.
Most of those in the majority explained that they had originally favored renovation. But, they said, the very high price for even the smallest renovation package, combined with the risk that more problems could crop up in the 1988 building even after renovation, convinced them new construction was a better value.
The meeting was held in the Hildreth Elementary School cafeteria, perhaps in anticipation of a larger public turnout than actually took place. Superintendent of Schools Linda Dwight, who chairs the building committee, called on members one by one to announce their vote and explain their choice.
Although he opted for a new building, committee member Rick Maiore voiced the fear of many, saying he was concerned the project would be voted down at the 2018 Annual Town Meeting or at the ballot box thereafter. “We have to alter our tax base,” Maiore said, and he urged the town to look at Devens as a possible solution.
Don Ludwig, who represents the Finance Committee, agreed it was a very difficult decision. “I came into this kicking and screaming,” he said, and he had originally preferred one of the renovation options. “But the numbers don’t line up. It’s hard to justify a renovation, given the numbers,” he concluded, casting his vote for new construction.
The only committee member to vote for renovation was Marie Sobalvarro, who is assistant town administrator. “I sit here wearing the hat of the town,” she said, explaining that Harvard faces a number of other important capital projects. Choosing renovation, Sobalvarro said, would allow the town to move ahead with some of those other projects as well.
The members voting in favor of new construction were community members Ron Ostberg, Rick Maiore, and John Lackner; David Fay of the energy advisory committee; Don Ludwig, chairman of FinCom; Mary Traphagen and SusanMary Redinger of the School Committee; Alice von Loesecke, chairwoman of the Board of Selectmen; and Superintendent Dwight.