Revere council: Don’t let funding challenges stall new Paul Revere

REVERE – The city must borrow money and dig into the taxpayers’ pockets to pay for a new Paul Revere School, but City Councilors Monday said delaying the $17 million to $18.5 million project will increase its cost.Unlike the three public schools Revere has built since 2006 under a state reimbursement plan, Paul Revere will be paid for with a combination of a $7 million state loan to the city and $9.7 million in state money, plus the city’s contribution.This financing plan reflects changes in the state’s school construction rules – rules that worry Councilor at large Anthony Zambuto.”I don’t have confidence with how we’re going to come up with $7 million or $8 million,” Zambuto said Monday.But Zambuto, who works in construction, said design plans for Paul Revere are sound and do not face the potential complications, such as drainage improvements, that added to the cost of building the new Rumney Marsh Academy.School officials want to advertise for contractor bids in September and start construction on Paul Revere in October with significant work underway over the winter.”We’ve already made a commitment to people in that area that we will go forward,” said Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinasso.The city has started the process of removing asbestos from the existing school prior to demolishing it. Paul Revere students are attending school in a wing of the Beachmont School vacated by students now attending Rumney.Councilor at large Daniel Rizzo said the city’s improved bond rating will reduce the costs it incurs to borrow money to pay back the state loan.Mayor Thomas Ambrosino said the timing for building a new school is good: Many other communities are a year away from completing design work necessary to start school projects.”Hopefully, we will get a competitive bid,” he said.