CCHS amenities building proposal returns to Town Meeting
The building is currently in Article 26, along with other CPC-backed projects.
After failing at the ballot box last year, a long-debated bathroom building proposal for Acton-Carlisle High School is returning to Town Meeting.
This year, the Acton-Carlisle Regional School Committee is taking a new approach. Rather than seeking funding through borrowing, the committee applied for Community Preservation Committee funding.
Last year, Acton voters rejected a ballot question during an August special election that would have funded the town’s share of the project.
Carlisle, meanwhile, approved its portion through CPC funding last year, but the allocation expired. Last month, Carlisle’s CPC approved the project, meaning both towns will again see the amenities building up for a vote at their respective Town Meetings.
The building is currently in Article 26, along with other CPC-backed projects, but there “is potential that a citizen might divide the question,” meaning that the amenities project could be considered separately, Tracey Marano, chair of the regional committee, said during a Tuesday meeting.
Approval of the article gives $1.4 million to fund construction. A budget item to provide $175,000 for the project is in the state legislative pipeline.
Marano told The Acton Bridge the committee is “grateful for the work of the CPCs in both towns for supporting this project.”
Another time around
School officials say the project would create an ADA-compliant facility to address accessibility concerns at Memorial Field.
Currently, the high school makes three portable toilets available. The new building would house 16 permanent toilets.
Marano said design plans remain the same as last year and noted that the proposal has received backing from Acton’s Select Board, Finance Committee, Commission on Disability, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Commission.
“Support of this project will allow the creation of an accessible ADA-compliant bathroom facility on the CCHS campus for use by all residents of both communities,” Marano said.
“This effort aligns with the School Committee goals and commitments to inclusion and ensuring that all feel welcome.”
