Weymouth Receives Over $800,000 in State MSBA Funding for Primary School Projects

The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) recently made payments to the Town for projects completed at the Wessagusset and Hamilton Primary Schools. The MSBA reimbursed the Town $383,384 for the Wessagusset Primary School boiler project and $416,804 for similar work completed at the Hamilton Primary School.

The Town was awarded the MSBA funding under its Accelerated Repair Program. This program is primarily used for the repair or replacement of infrastructure or operational equipment in schools such as roofs, windows, doors, or boilers. According to the MSBA “the Program focuses on the preservation of existing assets by performing energy-efficient and cost-saving upgrades, which will result in direct operational savings for school districts”. These programs address capital needs in otherwise structurally sound and maintained facilities but provide much needed assistance when a large expenditure is required.

Weymouth submitted a Statement of Interest for the replacement of the Wessagusset and Hamilton Primary School Boilers in 2017. The MSBA Board reviewed 2017 SOIs, and awarded 34 projects in 19 districts into the program. The program consists of multiple steps overseen by the MSBA and in accordance with their requirements. These steps consist of submission of the SOI, meeting prerequisite requirements, local authorization of funding, completion of a feasibility study, establishing the project scope, funding the project, and then completing construction or installation. All Accelerated Repair Programs must be completed within 24 months of approval.

The current award of MSBA funding, which totals just over $800,000, is the result of a proactive approach by the Town to address predicted capital needs without relying solely on local funding to complete the work. By applying under the MSBA’s Accelerate Repair Program, Weymouth was able to receive grant funding that covered approximately 55% of the total cost of the boiler replacement.

“As we address the needs of our facilities and public assets, we continue to look for financially sound ways to do so,” said Mayor Robert Hedlund. “By using a capital plan outlook that spans several years, we can proactively apply for these types of state-funded programs and complete these necessary projects on schedule and in a cost-effective manner.”

In addition to the MSBA funding, the Town directly funded $150,000 for the project feasibility study and the total project cost was approximately $1.45 million.

As with the Wessagusset and Hamilton Primary School boilers, the Town also has submitted a Statement of Interest to the MSBA for the Ralph Talbot Primary School boiler. The SOI was approved by the Town Council in February of 2019 and is slated to be reviewed by the MSBA. Once reviewed, Towns in the Commonwealth that have submitted SOIs will be invited to the program. Notification of participation is anticipated to take place in late Spring of 2019.

These projects are necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of these Town facilities and that is aided by the MSBA program. In addition, the use of energy efficient replacements will likely result in other cost savings, making the program and upgrades a worthwhile investment for the Town. The diligence of asset and facility management staff along with the administration make it possible to complete these projects in a cost-effective manner for Weymouth.