By Chuck Amaral

The Lunenburg Board of Selectmen met for the first time of the year Tuesday, Jan. 4. During the meeting, the Board discussed a Statements of Interest being reviewed by the Massachusetts School Building Authority on behalf of the Lunenburg Public School District, and the change in location of a telephone pole.

    School Superintendent Loxi-Jo Calmes and Facilities Director John Londa appeared before the Board to appeal to the Board to refresh two statements of interest for the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). The statement of interest is the first step for a school district applying for school building construction and renovation grants from the MSBA.

    On December 15, the School Committee voted to submit Statements of Interest regarding T.C. Passios and Turkey Hill Middle School. Lunenburg High School is still being seen as the highest priority for the MSBA, while T.C. Passios Elementary is seen as second-highest priority.

    The Board has determined that both T.C. Passios and Turkey Hill would fit under a Priority 5 statement of interest, dealing with replacement, renovation and modernization.

    Areas of concern for T.C. Passios include its roof and updating its electrical and lighting systems. The roof was installed in 1986 and is in need of repair, according to Londa. Londa and Calmes both agreed that leaks from the roof could lead to indoor air quality concerns.

    Londa told the Board the Turkey Hill Middle School’s single-pane windows are in poor condition, and the school needs new unit ventilators and extension of digital controls for the boiler room.

    deBettencourt expressed concern that while the Statements of Interest focus on “big ticket items”, such as Turkey Hill’s windows, other areas, such as aging doors, should also be prioritized in renovation plans.

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