The Board of the Massachusetts School Building
Authority (the “MSBA”) announced in a letter to Mayor Richard Kos that theyhave voted to authorize execution for funding agreement of the Proposed
Accelerated Repair Projects for window and door replacement at the Patrick E.Bowe School and a partial roof replacement at the Selser Memorial School.
The Patrick E. Bowe School is in need of new windows
and doors at an estimated project cost of $3.1 million while the SelserMemorial School is in need of a partial roof replacement at an estimated
project cost of $1.7 million. The MSBA estimated eligibility for the projectsis up to $3.2 million.
“Reimbursing our school repairs at nearly 80% of our
City’s costs is a meaningful benefit to our City and more importantly ourtaxpayers,” said Mayor Kos. “I thank our State Delegation, City Council, School
Committee, municipal departments, as well as the MSBA for their assistance andsupport in working together to get this done.”
“Knowing that two elementary schools will be
receiving repairs at a fraction of the cost is a homerun for Chicopee.Continuing to update or schools to provide safe, welcoming learning facilities
for our students is something we all should be proud of,” said John Vieau,President of the City Council. “I am very pleased with the collaborative
efforts of Mayor Kos, the City Council and the School Committee for takingadvantage of the accelerated programs offered by the MSBA. And a
sincere thank you to our State Delegation and the Board of the MSBA.”
Pursuant to the terms of the MSBA’s AcceleratedRepair Program, the City is responsible for meeting all pre-requisites related
to the program. In July 2016, the City signed the Initial ComplianceCertification for the project, and City Council approved funding for the
Feasibility Study/Schematic design of the project. Next steps in the projectare the design development and procurement of bids before awarding a
construction contract.
The Massachusetts School Building Authority was established by Legislature in 2004. Created to reform the process of funding capital improvement projects in Massachusetts' public schools, the MSBA works with local communities to find the most affordable and energy efficient solutions to create sustainable school environments.
Funded by one penny of the state sales tax, the MSBA has issued more than $12.4 billion in grants to school districts for school construction projects.
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