School decision tonight
Two designs vie for officials' OK
Wellesley officials are expected tonight to choose a plan for a new high school that could cost at least $159 million, a project that they insist should not invite comparisons to a controversial school building project in nearby Newton.
The town has taken a number of steps that could help avoid Newton-like problems, including careful vetting of almost a dozen proposals and likely price tags in hopes of preventing politically treacherous cost overruns.
Tonight, Wellesley's School Building and Permanent Building committees are slated to pick between two choices.
One plan, dubbed "The Forum," would cost $175 million and take more than five years to construct. It would retain the shell of the original 1938 wing of the high school, adding new wings in a box around a central cafeteria and gathering place.
The other option, called "The Hub," would take under four years and cost $159 million. An entirely new structure would be built, with two major wings shooting out from a central cafeteria and gathering place.
The joint committee meeting is set for 8 p.m. in Town Hall.
Selectwoman Katherine L. Babson Jr., who is the School Building Committee's chairwoman, rebuffed any comparison with Newton, where $197.5 million in appropriations have been approved for what is possibly the most expensive school project in state history, and where voters are being asked to approve a $12 million tax increase on May 20.
Hans Larsen, Wellesley's executive director, called any Newton comparison "apples to oranges," and said that the cost estimates for his town's school project are more solid than Newton's early figures proved to be.
Before tonight's vote, the 15 members of the two building committees expect to have in hand a third, independent estimate of the costs for building either option.
Other actions have been taken that could help avoid Newton-like problems, officials said. Babson announced last week that the two building panels asked the School Committee to review its stated requirements to ensure that the future high school does not include more space than it needs. And earlier this year, town officials revised the fiscal year 2009 operating budget to eliminate a projected $6.4 million budget shortfall and avoid having to ask voters for additional tax revenues this spring.
At meetings Monday and last week, more than 100 residents showed up to examine design renderings for the two high school proposals. James Drury said he prefers the all-new construction version because he doesn't believe the existing building has any particular historic value, and he doesn't like the idea of students being exposed to construction dust and asbestos removal in order to save it. Jack Morgan, who prefers renovation, said the original building is a part of the town's "history and life."
Neighbors of Seaver Street, which abuts the high school site, appeared to favor the addition-renovation option because the all-new building would be situated much closer to their homes. But the Wellesley High School Parent-Teacher Organization advocated for the all-new option, saying the renovation proposal would cause considerably more noise and disruption for students.
When asked which proposal is likely to win tonight, Babson said, "I have no idea. We've taken no straw polls and there's been such a robust debate. But it's been a thorough process, I think. I think we've heard excellent comments from the community for reasons to support either of the options."
With a majority vote settling the issue, she said, "I would hope we're going to have a strong support for one of the two."
To seek state help in paying for the project, Babson said, Wellesley hopes to get onto the Massachusetts School Building Authority's agenda on Wednesday to present "the community's preference" for a new high school.
Although the Newton North High School replacement project was approved for about 23 percent reimbursement from the state, new guidelines could make the Wellesley project eligible for a minimum 40 percent reimbursement, according to MSBA spokeswoman Carrie Sullivan .
If Wellesley makes it onto the MSBA's agenda this month, said Babson, the town would expect to hold a Special Town Meeting vote in October to consider funding the final proposal. Then voters would be asked to approve a debt-exclusion override of Proposition 2 1/2's limits on property taxes in December. 