Saugus to hold special Town Meeting for science lab study

SAUGUS – Michael Serino, Chairman of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, said the board will call a special Town Meeting next Tuesday to vote on an article requesting $250,000 for a feasibility study for the high school science lab project.The Massachusetts School Building Authority will reimburse 53 percent of that money, and 53 percent of the total project cost, which architect Edward Frenette said will run between $4 million and $6 million.Since the deadline to submit a contract with the owner?s project manager is today, the town will send a letter of intent to the Massachusetts School Building Authority pending funding approval by Town Meeting.Speaking to a joint meeting of the selectmen and the School Committee Tuesday, Serino said getting Town Meeting approval will be a “tough sell.”?I don?t have a problem going before Town Meeting for the 250, but do I think it?s going to pass? No,” said Serino. “With the problems we?ve had over the last few months I don?t think people are going to have the appetite for this project.”Superintendent Richard Langlois said the renovation project will combine all nine science labs into one wing and update them to 21st Century standards.?They were all declared unsafe and unable to meet a 21st Century curriculum,” said Langlois. “It really is the most critical aspect of the curriculum. Most of the gas has been shut off. There?s inadequate space and they?re really all outdated. The whole environment in those nine rooms is unsafe. That?s the unique difference in this project from other renovation projects. Kids are at risk.”High school Principal Joe Diorio said maintaining the school?s accreditation hinges on whether or not the science labs are updated.?If we have no movement on the science labs, they could pull the accreditation,” said Diorio.Despite not having a contract in place, Frenette said he will still begin work on the design.?I think what we would want to avoid is incurring third parties,” said Frenette. “If you decide not to do this, I have to write checks to other people that I have no money for. I think we should face the cold hard facts as early as possible. I think it would be foolish to think it would cost a lot less than $4 million.”School Committee Chairman Wendy Reed said she?s hoping “knock their socks off” when the committee gives a presentation on the project to Town Meeting in July.Matt Tempesta can be reached at [email protected].