The Halifax Board of Selectmen heard a proposal from Silver Lake Regional School Committee member Jason Fraser requesting the town commit about $700,000 annually to a stabilization fund for capital maintenance of the aging regional school buildings—a figure that would replace expiring debt payments and result in no net increase to taxpayers.
Fraser presented the request at the Jan. 27 meeting, explaining that Silver Lake Regional has been funding capital maintenance from its excess and deficiency fund for the past decade, but that funding mechanism is not sustainable. A comprehensive facilities assessment completed last year revealed that the 25-year-old middle and high school buildings require approximately $50 million in immediate repairs and upgrades, a figure that could balloon to $73 million if addressed over ten years with inflation.
The facilities assessment identified $6.9 million in urgent repairs needed within one year, including roof work, HVAC systems, windows, and epoxy floors in the career technical education wing. An additional $26 million in projects must be addressed within five years, according to Sarah Hickey, Director of Finance and Operations, who attended the meeting alongside Fraser.
“The buildings aren’t getting any younger,” Fraser told the board. “We’re looking at buildings that are both about 25 years old each, actually part of the CTE wing of Silver Lake High School from 1974. And we really need to look at a long-term way of maintaining these buildings.”
Fraser’s proposal hinges on the expiration of two existing bond payments for the Silver Lake buildings. The first, totaling $700,000 annually in exempt capital costs shared by Halifax, Kingston, and Plympton, expires this fiscal year. The second bond of $600,000 expires in fiscal year 2028. Rather than allowing those costs to roll off residents’ tax bills, Fraser proposed redirecting them into the Silver Lake Stabilization Fund, which town meeting established several years ago specifically for capital expenses.
In fiscal year 2027, the district would receive $700,000 from the new stabilization fund contribution plus $600,000 from the remaining bond payment, maintaining the current $1.3 million total. When the second bond expires in fiscal year 2028, that $600,000 would also shift to the stabilization fund, keeping the annual investment at $1.3 million. Halifax’s share represents roughly 35 percent of Silver Lake’s costs based on student enrollment.
Fraser emphasized the financial consequences of failing to maintain the buildings properly. If the facilities deteriorate to the point of requiring full replacement, an estimated $400 million debt exclusion would cost the three communities $34.4 million annually over 20 years at current interest rates, with Halifax responsible for approximately $10 million per year.
“We shouldn’t even be talking about that because the buildings at age 25 should last us for at least another 25 years if we maintain them well and beyond,” Fraser said. He added that taking out a $60 million exempt capital bond to address the issues immediately would quadruple Halifax’s current capital contribution to Silver Lake.
The stabilization fund approach would provide a “sustainable, predictable method that would have zero impact on our taxpayers,” Fraser argued. He acknowledged that $1.3 million annually won’t cover all $50 million in needed repairs but said it would address the most pressing issues while allowing the district’s excess and deficiency fund to replenish itself. The district may also seek warrant articles for specific major projects to supplement the stabilization fund.
Fraser noted that in preparing the proposal, the Silver Lake School Committee discussed reducing its overall budget increase to 2.5 percent, which would require cutting four teaching positions, two teachers’ aides, and one administrator from the district. “We are definitely willing to work with the towns to try and deliver to you guys a sustainable budget that is affordable to the three towns,” he said.
Hickey detailed specific urgent needs from the assessment, including roof repairs stemming from damage during the 2015 snowstorm when crews had to shovel roofs and punctured the membrane in roughly 1,000 places. The district used capital funds to not only repair the roofs but restore them under the original manufacturer’s warranty. Additional priority items include air handling equipment, window replacements, and CTE wing floor work.
The board did not vote on the proposal Tuesday night, with Fraser indicating this was the start of ongoing budget discussions. Board Chair Jonathan Selig thanked Fraser for the presentation, and the board is expected to continue evaluating the request as part of the broader fiscal year 2027 budget process.
New Town Administrator Begins Work
The meeting also marked the official introduction of Steven Solbo as Halifax’s new town administrator. While Solbo’s first official day was Monday, Jan. 26, the major winter storm forced town offices to delay opening, making Tuesday his effective first day on the job.
“The people of Halifax are seeing a new face here at the table,” Selig said in welcoming Solbo. “I saw him meeting with all various department heads and I will say Steven, great job. You looked to hit the ground running.”
Selig noted that even before officially starting, Solbo had been meeting with town staff and familiarizing himself with operations. A former Halifax resident who lived in town from 2005 to 2013, Solbo told the board he was “looking forward to helping out not only the Select Board, but also the residents here in town.”
Solbo reported completing his ethics training and being sworn in that afternoon. He said he would be meeting with Town Accountant Lindsay Martinelli to finalize budget numbers and noted that based on the override study committee meeting the previous night, Halifax appeared to be ahead of other communities in its budget preparation process.
“I’ve hit the ground running. It’s exactly what I expected to do. And I’m just looking for more to do,” Solbo said.
Board members welcomed the new administrator, with Thomas Pratt saying, “I look forward to working with you and collaborating with you for the betterment of the town. Hopefully it’s a long-lasting partnership on both ends.”