Westborough approves emergency borrowing for Hastings Elementary roof after rooftop failure

Westborough voters authorized borrowing to replace the roof at Hastings Elementary School after the building's roof suffered an extensive failure during winter storms that forced at least one school closure and triggered interior damage earlier this year.

Superintendent Amber Bach told voters the roof's membrane had reached the end of its effective life and became porous under a combination of snow and heavy rain, allowing water to enter numerous parts of the building. The town obtained design documents and solicited bids under an emergency process; the lowest responsive bid for the roof replacement was reported to the town at roughly $3.00 million. With contingency and owner's project management (OPM) costs added, the total project authorization presented to town meeting was $4,142,800.

The meeting debated cost, scope and procurement. Residents raised questions about square footage, prevailing-wage effects on municipal bids and whether design and bidding choices had constrained competition. School and capital-committee officials explained that the project followed state procurement rules, required prevailing wages, and returned a set of bids in line with current market rates for large flat roofing projects; the bid selected was the lowest of several. The school said it would schedule the work immediately after the school year ends and retain active inspection and interim maintenance until the new roof is in place.

Voters approved the borrowing authorization (vote 306-21) in a two-thirds vote required for debt articles. The Select Board, Advisory Finance Committee and the school district said they would continue regular reporting on project scheduling and costs during construction.

What happens next: The town will award the contract, hire an OPM and begin phased roof work after school ends. The debt will be issued under Chapter 44 borrowing authority, and finance staff will report estimated tax-levy impacts as part of the borrowing schedule.