Concerns over school facility maintenance took center stage at the recent Sommerville School Building Facilities and Maintenance Special Committee meeting, as members grappled with pressing issues regarding the city's educational infrastructure. The discussion highlighted the urgent need for a concrete operational plan to address ongoing roof problems at Healy and West schools, which have raised alarms among committee members.

Director Raish acknowledged the city's capacity constraints, revealing that both city staff and consultants are currently overwhelmed with high-priority projects. This situation has left the committee questioning whether they would need to hire outside consultants to develop a comprehensive plan for the schools. Councilor Klingens emphasized the importance of having a clear strategy in place, urging the director to assess whether the work could be managed in-house or if external assistance would be necessary.

Councilor Saeed expressed growing anxiety over the lack of a defined approach, especially with budget season approaching. He stressed the importance of identifying needs and timelines to ensure that necessary funding is allocated before the capital investment plan deadline in June. The committee members unanimously agreed on the urgency of the situation, recognizing that without prompt action, they risk repeating past mistakes, such as those experienced with the Winter Hill facility.

As the meeting concluded, the committee marked the discussion as complete but acknowledged the need for ongoing updates. The members left with a shared commitment to prioritize the development of a strategic plan to safeguard the future of Sommerville's school facilities.