Council gives nod to getting Higgins repairs under way

PEABODY – City councilors welcomed a School Committee request to fund a feasibility study for repairs at the Higgins Middle School.School Committee members Beverly Ann Griffin Dunne and Ed Charest, as well as Superintendent Milt Burnett, came out to Wiggin Auditorium Thursday night to show their support of the hefty $250,000 request, although it appeared that the councilors needed little convincing.?I could not be a bigger fan of this,” said Councilor Dave Gravel, a former school board member who served on the School Building Committee for eight years. He said all studies always pointed toward the Higgins as the best candidate for improvements. Gravel described the building as “solid” and “built right.”?It just has stood the test of time,” he said.The $250,000 would serve the purpose of hiring a project manager to oversee the execution of extensive repairs at the school.The project manager position is a requirement of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in order for the school to be eligible for financial assistance. it is also one of many steps in the process.Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning, also a former school board member, expressed concern over future appropriation requests for the various steps. It is unknown exactly how much additional money the city would have to provide at a later date; however, at a School Committee meeting in January, City Purchasing Agent Dan Doucette gave a grand estimate of $250,000-$500,000 when all is said and done.The 50-year-old school first filed a Statement of Interest back in July 2007. It faced a bit of a letdown when the request was placed on hold due to the state’s unstable economy, but all parties remained hopeful. Things began to turn around as MSBA officials maintained interest in the project and kept in constant contact with school administration. The authority’s request for the speedy hire of a project manager has only increased the city’s confidence in receiving a financial package.The MSBA has committed to reimburse at least 53 percent of the cost for the entire project, which is currently estimated at $35 million.Major repairs include a new roof and heating system.Gravel reassured councilors that the state’s school building fund is one that seems to not be impacted by the current economy. He said money was set aside in preparation for large projects years ago, so the money is plentiful and available.?That school has needed help for a long time,” said Councilor Bob Driscoll. “This is a good start.”