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.