Millbury Cuts School Roof Borrowing to $15.5 Million After Low Bids

School Committee · Meeting of April 9, 2026

Millbury schools will borrow $15.5 million instead of $19.7 million for a roof and HVAC overhaul after bids came in low. Assistant Superintendent Richard Bedard told the School Committee the savings will let Town Finance Director Katie McKenna trim the town's short-term borrowing interest for fiscal 2027, with contractors Gage and Colantonio still targeting September 16 for substantial completion. State Sen.

Michael Moore secured a $125,000 earmark for a wheelchair van, Elmwood security cameras and vocational tuition, while state Rep. Paul Frost added $50,000 for unrestricted school use. Director of Instructional Technology Jeffrey Berthiaume warned that delaying Chromebook replacement further could push costs "40 to, dare I say, 50%" higher.

Food Services Director Mandi Donaldson said a proposed federal threshold change could end Millbury's universal free-lunch eligibility, currently near 36 percent districtwide against a possible new 60 percent bar. The committee voted 4-0 on all procedural items, including adjournment.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of April 9, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.