Sherborn Capital Panel Approves $125,000 for Seven Town Building Design Studies

SHERBORN -- March 11, 2026, Sherborn Capital Planning Committee approved $125,000 for municipal building design studies and revised its school roof borrowing recommendation to $672,551 at its March 11 meeting. The committee voted 2-1 to recommend that the town draw from the capital stabilization fund for design, engineering, and feasibility work on seven buildings, including Fire Station 1 windows ($20,000), Fire Station 2 roof ($20,000), Police Station locker rooms ($10,000), town hall HVAC ($15,000), the library septic system ($15,000), the DPW salt shed ($15,000), and Fire Station 1 kitchen and HVAC ($30,000). The dissenting member said he supported the studies but worried the resulting construction costs, potentially $750,000 or more in fiscal year 2028, would be difficult for the town to fund given competing debt demands. The committee unanimously revised its prior recommendation on the Sherborn High School roof restoration from up to $927,000 to $672,551 in exempt borrowing, reflecting a revised district cost-share of 46.8 percent. DPW Director Sean warned the committee that once the $400,000 town hall exterior renovation is funded, "there's no other money for these buildings", no capital reserve remaining for any unexpected failure in the current town building stock.