Norton Selectmen Approve $93K Contingency for High School Renovation

The Norton Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 to approve an amendment to the capital improvement committee’s budget to give the current high school renovation project $93,171.74 in a contingency construction fund.

The money, if approved at town meeting, would be appropriated from the capital improvement budget.

“This money would be used for a contingency for any unforeseen expenses  that could happen between now and December, when the project will hopefully be done,” said selectmen chair Robert Kimball. “It’s with the hope and desire the funds won’t have to be used, but if it has to be used it will be there.”

Kimball said if not approved and the project runs into some problems, they would have to wait until October, at the fall town meeting, to approve more funding. He said this would seriously delay the project, causing more loss of funds.

Selectmen agreed, saying problems could easily arise. Selectman Bradford Bramwell said if there was a big problem, it would be in the auditorium.

“Until we open up the walls and the ceiling we’re not sure what we’ll find there,” he said.