Town Meeting approved a set of FY2025 capital repairs to elementary school facilities: playground repairs for Proctor, Z and Lincoln Street schools and replacement of exterior staircases and a retaining wall at Proctor.

Becky Pellegrino presented inspection findings that led to the requests. A certified independent inspector found rusted, damaged and noncompliant playground equipment; Proctor’s play structure (about 30 years old) required the largest share of funds. Article 31 allocated $60,000 from free cash for playground repairs and partial replacements, with an estimated $45,000 targeted to Proctor and the remainder split between Z and Lincoln Street. Article 32 appropriated $105,000 for demolition and replacement of the failing retaining wall system and two exterior staircases at Proctor; the existing railroad-tie retaining walls were described as rotting and posing safety concerns. Article 33 provided $50,000 to replace two exterior staircases at the Z School.

Nut graf: School committee, Appropriations and Financial Planning committees unanimously recommended approval of all three articles; Town Meeting approved each article by majority vote.

Implementation notes: The work described is targeted to bring those facilities into compliance with current safety standards; procurement and construction will follow standard municipal procedures. Prevailing wage applies to construction work, as noted from audience questions.

Sources: School presentations and Town Meeting transcript.