City Considering Capital Improvement Projects

Story Updated 9:32PM Tuesday, January 10, 2012

– Allison Goldsberry

This week the City Council and School Committee will consider the first in a series of capital improvement projects planned for the city.

After almost two years of research, surveys, visits to other school districts, and input from staff, students, and parents, a proposal from the Medford Public Schools Technology Committee to upgrade the school district’s technology is up for consideration. The $3.3 million proposal includes new computers for students, teachers, labs, and libraries, new LCD projectors, and a district-wide wireless network. The School Committee approved the proposal during their first meeting of the year Monday night and it will be before the City Council on Tuesday.

The Council will review proposals for several capital improvement projects on Tuesday, the largest of which is for school technology. They will also consider an $860,000 loan for the construction of a turf field at Hormel Stadium; the acceptance of a $500,000 grant from the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs to help cover the cost of the field; $300,000 to upgrade the city’s fire alarm system; $500,000 for sidewalk improvements; and $250,000 to plan for a new police headquarters.

In his inaugural address last week, Mayor Michael McGlynn spoke about the need for these projects and called them “an investment in the city’s future.”

“The plan for a capital improvement bond issue known as ‘chart the course,’ is an investment program for the city’s future. The underlying framework for the plan emphasizes the strategic use of infrastructure to promote economic development, education, public safety, environmental initiatives and quality of life issues. It is expensive, yet affordable,” said Mayor McGlynn.

According to McGlynn additional projects will be before the Council on January 21 and January 24. Upcoming projects include a $2.5 million proposal to repair the high school pool, $2.5 million to refurbish the Brooks Estate, and upwards of $8 million for a new DPW facility.

The Council met at 5:30PM on Tuesday prior to their regular meeting to discuss the projects in more detail with Mayor McGlynn and school and city staff, including School Superintendent Roy Belson and Police Chief Leo Sacco. The discussion lasted beyond 7:00PM and when the Council convened its regular meeting it eventually approved the school technology upgrade (unanimously) and the bonding for a turf field at Hormel.