The School Committee and Board of Selectmen have begun discussing a joint annual meeting about school building maintenance.
The board requested the meeting when the issue of maintenance came up during the school project discussions.
“When we were talking about the school project there was a lot of questions about maintenance and some concern by some people about money voted for in the past,” said Selectman Russell Fox. “We wanted more of an accountability.”
Fox suggested the two groups form an independent committee to look at the school buildings annually and review the needs and what was done that year.
“I think it would eliminate a lot of concerns,” said Fox. “I envision it to be a cooperative, friendly thing to do, so the taxpayers know how monies are being spent.”
Select Board Chairman Arthur Pinell said the concern of the board is that the school buildings are town buildings.
“We want to keep an eye on maintenance of town buildings,” said Pinell.
During the June 5 School Committee meeting, Superintendent Dr. John Barry brought up the meeting to the committee.
“There is an ongoing interest in some kind of committee to meet and review maintenance issues,” said Barry. “It’s a new idea, so I’m not sure how to answer questions about how often to meet.”
Committee Chairman James Vincent suggested the school’s Building and Grounds Committee could serve as the necessary committee. Barry said they could. However, he believes the Board of Selectmen wants to meet jointly at least once a year.
Committee member Jeffrey Houle said this could be used as a tool to establish preventive maintenance programs. Committeeman Theodore Locke agreed.
“This would be more proactive than reactive,” said Locke.
The group discussed holding the annual review in March to coincide with budget discussions and agreed to continue discussions at a future meeting.
