Lewis & Lipper-Garabedian Applaud MSBA Funding for Melrose

Melrose MA

29 October, 2021

10:26 AM

Description

Melrose state legislators Senator Jason Lewis and Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian lauded the announcement this week that the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) Board of Directors voted to invite the City of Melrose to participate in the Accelerated Repair Program (ARP), which will provide grant funds for roof replacement projects at the Hoover and Horace Mann Elementary Schools. The ARP is a competitive grant program that funds new roofs, boilers, and windows and doors in school buildings where these building elements are deteriorated and past their useful life. The roofs at both the Hoover and the Horace Mann are over 30 years old and can no longer provide weather tight conditions without regular patches and repairs. New roofs will not only provide a safer and healthier educational environment, but they will also be more energy efficient and save the City thousands of dollars annually in repair costs. "I'm thrilled that the City of Melrose and the Commonwealth are partnering on this school repair initiative, which will make the Hoover and Horace Mann Elementary Schools safer, more weather-resilient and more energy efficient," said Senator Jason Lewis. "Supporting a robust and effective School Building Authority is a longtime priority in the State Legislature, and projects like this demonstrate the meaningful impact that MSBA grants can have for our kids, educators and community." "Now more than ever, we recognize the importance of ensuring our school buildings are safe, healthy places for teaching and learning," said Representative Kate Lipper-Garabedian. "I am pleased that the School Building Authority has committed competitive state grant dollars to two schools in Melrose – including the one where I vote." Now that the MSBA has invited Melrose to participate in the ARP, the City Council will need to authorize funding for the Feasibility Study/Schematic Design Phase, which will determine the final scope and budget for the projects. Grant funding is expected to cover the cost of approximately 50% of the roof repairs. The 2019 Student Opportunity Act, co-authored by Senator Lewis, raised the annual cap on MSBA spending for construction and renovation by $200 million (from $600 million to $800 million), enabling more projects across the state to be accepted into the MSBA funding pipeline, which reimburses towns and cities for a portion of school building and repair costs.