Salem seeks less expensive school project

Salem — The Board of Selectmen agreed that the new School Planning/Building Committee needs to come up with a "less costly" plan to renovate the Salem School, but they weren't sure whether to direct them on how much the proposal should be.

Selectmen spent time at a special meeting Wednesday deciding what the new committee will be asked to accomplish. They are drafting a charge for their next meeting.

Last week, Superintendent Donna Leake wrote a letter to selectmen on behalf of the Board of Education, urging them to form a School Building Committee because a "major facility renovation is required at the school." Selectmen said they were going to create the committee in response to the town meeting in January.

Residents who attended the town meeting voted to delay discussion on the $15 million project until town officials come back with a cheaper plan. The renovation focused mainly on Salem School's poor ventilation, an outdated heating system and boilers, overloaded electrical systems and an aging roof.

Once the committee is formed, the group will have until Oct. 5 to deliver its recommendations to the board.