Swansea votes Monday on new Case Junior High, a $149.7 million project

SWANSEA Swansea voters meet Monday, Oct. 19, to vote on paying for a new Joseph Case Junior High School, according to the Special Town Meeting warrant the town posted Oct. 15. The town's warrant booklet puts the total project budget at $149,723,734.

Article 2 covers a building of about 114,707 square feet on the Joseph Case High School site at 70 School St., designed for 510 students in grades 6 through 8. The booklet lists about $61.4 million in expected Massachusetts School Building Authority reimbursement and rebates, leaving a district cost of $88,278,988. The warrant says the state grant cannot exceed 61.82% of eligible, approved costs or the maximum the authority sets, whichever is less. The Advisory and Finance Committee recommends approval by an 8-1 vote with one abstention.

If the vote fails, the booklet says, Swansea would lose its place in the state program and give up about $61 million in state funding and rebates. The school district's project page lists a state board vote on the project's scope and budget Oct. 28 and a ballot vote Nov. 3.

Article 1 asks voters to use Community Preservation money for a conservation restriction on about 33.7 acres at 1210 Wilbur Ave. The warrant names no dollar amount. The Advisory and Finance Committee does not recommend it; the warrant records that vote as 3-5.

Sign-in starts at 6 p.m., and the meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Venus de Milo, 75 Grand Army of the Republic Highway. The town says a shuttle will run from Joseph Case High School for residents who need a ride.

Label: Reported by us, from the town's posted records.