New Roof, Waterfront Park Big Items for Dartmouth Town Meeting

Town Meeting members in Dartmouth will gather Tuesday morning for the annual spring meeting. One of the issues is over their heads, literally.

As members gather in the Dartmouth Middle School, they will vote on whether to replace the roof of the building, which Town Administrator David Cressman says has fallen into a state of disrepair. "The Town's middle school roof has reached the end of it's useful life. The School Department has reported that there are some leaks that have occurred more frequently that have to be patched," says Cressman. Cressman says the estimated cost of the project is $3.5 million, and says the Massachusetts School Building Authority would fund up to half of the total cost. If Town Meeting approves the item, the Town will conduct a feasibility study before seeking funding for a new roof.

Also on the warrant, a decision whether to fund a waterfront recreational park on Water Street. The articles on the warrant would authorize the Select Board to purchase the property for $765,000, and the approval of $466,000 in reserve funds for development of the park itself. The Town has already received a $1 million grant from the Seaport Economic Council to cover the purchase of the property.

Town Meeting begins at 9am on Tuesday at Dartmouth Middle School.