Shawsheen Valley Technical High School in Billerica on February 1, 2022. (Julia Malachy/Lowell Sun)
BILLERICA — The Shawsheen Valley Regional Vocational-Technical School District is pitching towns to approve the creation of a stabilization fund for the district after sending letters last month to various select boards in the towns that send the schools. .
Shawsheen Technical College Superintendent Tony McIntosh appeared before the Billerica Select Board on Monday to advocate for the creation of a stabilization fund to help fund needed repairs to long-decrepit buildings. McIntosh said that would require most of the district's five member cities (Billerica, Tewksbury, Wilmington, Bedford and Burlington) to pass warrant provisions at spring town meetings.
“Opening a stabilization account will help us in the long run,” Mr McIntosh said. “So in the future, if we need to do a feasibility study with the MSBA or if we need special building maintenance, that funding will be available to us without having to go back to the sending community.”
Shawsheen Technical College was built in 1970, and McIntosh said the district has “faced significant capital project costs” since then.
“Last year's capital budget request had major building repairs for which capital funds were requested. The capital budget, which is expected to be released in the coming weeks this year, has been reduced, but there are some anomalies regarding building maintenance and repairs. We're seeing more and more problems,” McIntosh said.
The Stabilization Fund will be contributed in small amounts each year through a surplus or deficit fund authorized at the end of each fiscal year, a portion of which may be transferred by the Shawsheen Technical School Board from that account to the Stabilization Account.
Once transferred, the money could be used by the Shawsheen Technical College Board for “anything that could be borrowed money,” McIntosh said.
Board members expressed concerns that the new funding would result in technical school districts collecting more money from assessments for each community. In Billerica's case, the increase in valuation to Shawsheen Polytechnic Institute would be particularly significant since it is the largest funder of her five towns, but at most his total valuation would be It remains at 5%.
“Even 1 to 2 percent is a big problem for the town,” board member Michael Rosa said.
“Worst-case scenario, that's another $535,000 on top of the already $10.6 million. I don't know how to budget or how to plan.”
McIntosh said the district is trying to “be proactive and be a good citizen” because the Shawsheen Technical College pipeline is expected to have significant capital costs. Rosa, who was a student at Shawsheen Polytechnic Institute, said he has no problem with stabilization accounts or advance planning, but the way the proposal is framed will put Billerica on the table when that portion of the district's budget is budgeted. He said he would not be able to get there. Calculation in progress.
Board member Andrew DesLauriers asked McIntosh if the school needed the flexibility provided by this account to continue offering diverse opportunities for trade programs, and McIntosh said the district would not be able to keep the account up to that point. He said he hasn't looked into it at a deep level, but adding new programs will need to consider the fund.
“We thought of it like a mechanical system for the entire building. The switchgear in that building is original from 1970. If there was a problem with the input power, it would be a big expense.” said Mr. McIntosh. “Simply, we have some collapsed drain pipes in our hallways, and in order to access them, all the flooring is asbestos adhesive, so we just have to rip out some tile flooring before excavating and replacing it. We’re talking about $1,000 worth of plumbing.” ”
“There are a lot of things that are really nearing the end of their lifecycle,” McIntosh said.
Mr. Deslauriers expressed support for the idea of a stabilization fund.
“I think that's true for Billerica. We have the largest population and we have the highest reputation, both of which make us the largest shareholder in the success of Shawsheen Tech,” Deslauriers said. “If this fund can help you be more successful and continue to provide a quality product, I would wager that the school is better now than it was when Selectman Rosa was there.” I think we need to support that.”
Board member Kim Conway was concerned that if the stabilization fund were approved, it would add 5% to the assessed value on top of the annual increase the town typically experiences. Mr. Mackintosh made it clear that this would not work.
“We're not going to increase our cost of capital by 5%. We're basically asking for permission to open a savings account, and at the end of the year we'll get permission to open a savings account. [Excess and Deficiency] Once we know what assets we have and we can prove that we are covering all our bills and staying within budget, we will consider moving funds from the E&D account to the stabilization fund,'' McIntosh said. “We're hopeful that we can build a balance to offset the cost of capital as we go into the community, whether it's three years or five years, whatever it is.”
Mr. McIntosh also addressed Mr. Conway's complaint that the valuation for Billerica, released late last year, was a much larger increase than originally expected.
“I stood in front of Town Meeting in the spring and apologized. We were in a tough spot last year. We had a new governor and we had another six weeks to announce Chapter 70 funding numbers. That's why we were late last year,” McIntosh said. “I didn't want to stand in front of the sending community and ask for a 7.9% increase in my first year as superintendent. It wasn't a fun experience and it's not something I would recommend.”
Board member John Burrows, whose two children attend Shawsheen Technical College, said he wanted to take some time to think about the issue.
“I'm still researching that. I'm still on the fence,” Burrows said. “There are some great programs out there, so I hope they stick with them and see them through to the end.”
Board Chairman Michael Reilly also expressed support for the idea.
“You have a good mindset, you're thinking ahead,” Riley said. “Our town administrator created a stabilization fund, and it has worked many miracles.”
