July 17, 2005
There has been quite a lot of discussion lately about Bridgewater alone being assessed interest costs for rehab work at the current B-R High School. In 2003, Bridgewater alone (Raynham did not vote on this) to authorize the B-R Regional School District to borrow $6M for the purpose of repairs to the facility. As part of the Master Plan for B-R, this facility would eventually become a new Bridgewater Middle School.
History cannot be changed. The Town of Bridgewater authorized B-R to begin this work, and for Bridgewater alone to be responsible for the costs. I understand the thought behind assessing these maintenance and repair costs to both towns, however that was not the will of the voters in 2003.
A School Building Committee was appointed a couple years ago, so the important piece for Bridgewater taxpayers is to make sure that these individuals do the job they were assigned - manage the project and finances on behalf of the community. They have reported on the project on numerous occassions, and while they have listed financial areas of concern (increased costs of materials), they have also stated that the project is moving forward financially as planned. [A financial forecast in conjunction with the B-R Treasurer was coordinated so that borrowed funds would be in place prior to a need for the funds.]
Therefore, the will of Bridgewater voters is being executed by the current plan. Further, it is appropriate based on this principle for the Town of Bridgewater alone to fund these costs.
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
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