Saugus board seeks SBA help

SAUGUS – Despite the town’s financial woes and fiscal setbacks on the state level, the School Committee will once again file a bid with the state’s School Building Authority program to address building needs at the schools.Committee Chairman Joseph Malone said it looks as if they will file a letter of intent with the SBA seeking a full renovation of the Belmonte Middle School.”From what I’m hearing the Belmonte is the most likely candidate,” he said.Malone said the School Committee has pulled together a subcommittee, so far made up of two members, to write the letter of intent. Committee members Wendy Reed and Rick Doucette will sit on the subcommittee and Malone said he’s sent an invitation to Finance Committee Chairman Robert Palleschi, Town Moderator Robert Long, Board of Selectman Chairman Donald Wong and Town Manager Andrew Bisignani, in case any of them have an interest in sitting on the committee as well.According to Reed, the letter must be filed by Nov. 15.”Now remember most of the groundwork has been done on this,” she noted.In August 2007, the focus was narrowed to rebuilding just the middle school with an eye on exploring a middle/high school compound.While the previous letter of intent was for new buildings, Reed said this letter would be for a complete renovation. Malone said he definitely felt the town had a better chance seeking a renovation over a replacement school.Reed acknowledged that with the town barely on stable financial ground and the state seeking a loan to pay cities and towns aide, it might not be the best time to build a new school. However, she reasoned it’s only going to get more expensive as time goes on.Malone agreed.”I know there is trouble on the state level, but if there is money available we’d like to get our fair share,” he said.