Panel details $163 million in capital needs
Other Committee · Meeting of September 30, 2026
West Boylston panel floats $163 million in capital needs, says don't do it all at once. The Townwide Planning Committee, including members Melody, Vanessa, Kalina and Maura, presented five overdue projects: a $71.5 million Major Edwards Elementary School replacement, $15.9 million in middle high school renovations, roughly $33 million each for new DPW and fire buildings, and under $10 million for a Mount Vernon Cemetery expansion. Doing everything at once would mean a 31 percent tax increase, or $2,553 more annually for the average household.
Fire Chief Mark Sadowski defended the DPW estimate, citing a $200,000 feasibility study, but residents including Mark Hoppo and Tom Dillon called the $32 million DPW figure "extraordinarily high" and "crazy" compared with Boylston's sub-$3 million facility. Residents will vote October 26 on the $15.9 million school renovation; no vote was taken Wednesday.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,523 words
Source: the Other Committee meeting of September 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
Keep reading with a 30-day free trial
Subscribe to Worcester County News to keep reading this post and get 30 days of free access to the full post archives.
Starting a trial requires a payment method. After 30 free days your subscription begins at the price shown at checkout and renews automatically until you cancel. You can cancel anytime from your account. Subscription terms
A subscription gets you:
- Subscriber-only posts and full archive
- Post comments and join the community
- 24x7 access to local news