Voters granted $2,442,181 for the Massachusetts State Building Authority Accelerated Repair project for the John W. Decas Elementary School's roof repairs and boiler replacement.

"We've worked closely with the school committee and the staff, so we appreciate all of their efforts," said Town Administrator Derek Sullivan.

In April, Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Shaver-Hood and School Committee Chair Geoff Swett presented the results of a feasibility study for repairing the roof and upgrading the boiler system to the Board of Selectmen.

The full amount of the grant presented to Decas may not necessarily be needed, said Dr. Shaver-Hood. According to Financial Manager Michael MacMillan, the MSBA will provide up to $1.6 million of the total estimated budget for the project, $2,442,181. MSBA will reimburse the school 70.1% of total project costs, but the school will have to front the cost, in portions, first.

They also explained that the roof of the Decas School is 46 years old and the boilers are 45 years old, claiming that the roof is “in the point of failing.”

"Several members of the Finance Committee toured the John W. Decas Elementary School and found a number of issues that require remediation including the roof and the boiler," said Finance Committee Chairman David Heard. "We're expecting that we'll get a reward for up to $1.6 million from MSBA, that's 70 percent of the estimated cost of the project."

The motion to approve the article was passed unanimously and without questions.