The New Wellington: On Time, Under Budget

It took a bruising debt exclusion vote two years ago to get the money for it and a few lingering critics continue to blast the idea of constructing a new building when the town could have renovated the then existing threadbare structure.

But today, the new Wellington Elementary School located between Orchard and School streets is on time and ready to receive its certificate of occupancy on Aug. 19, according to Mark Haley, chairman of the Wellington School Building Committee as he spoke to the on Tuesday, May 24, in the.

In addition to bringing the building on-line on time, the entire project will likely close below the $12.4 million guarantee maximum price (GMP) negotiated with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) that is funding that portion of the $39 million building. 

"We should be there," said Haley, saying that the state has provided $6 million so far to the town. 

Haley noted that due to the cost savings in the project, the MSBA recently attempted to reduce its level of funding to the project, which Haley successfully fought to prevent for now.

"At the end of the day, there may be a reduction but not now," said Haley, noting that there always remains a possibility you may need that money.

But it is likely that Belmont could see a small amount coming back from the project, which has 'hard' costs of $28.8 million to the town, said Haley, as the project has not come close to using any of its contingency funds.

Haley told the members that while there was a "hiccup" of nearly two weeks of delays in the construction of the new structure built over the old school which was once the town's high school, the school will be ready for about 550 Kindergarteners to fourth graders on the Sept. 7 opening day of school.

The two wings of the school will be completed by late July with the gymnasium and core of the building will open up and built out two weeks later, said Haley, adding that the school's elevator is already operational as are the geothermal wells.

Haley added that the town has committed to repairing Orchard Street – which runs between Goden and Common streets – and has already placed curbing on the site.

The one down side: not all the plantings will be in the ground on the first day, said Haley, as the temperatures will be too high in August to do the job.