$55 million maximum for school construction

Selectmen this week approved a maximum cost of just over $55 million for the school construction costs for the new Grafton High School.

The school is scheduled to open September 2012. 

The construction costs will not exceed $55,027,349, selectmen agreed.

The original budget called for $58,165,098.

Selectman Christopher LeMay, among others, questioned whether the cost could be even lower in an economic downturn with contractors competing for work.

Construction costs are actually on the rebound slightly, Secondary School Building Committee chairman Richard McCarthy said. 

"Would I have liked to return $10 million? Sure,'' he said. "But I think for where we are, and the quality of the contractor, I'm very happy.''

Project representatives said it was possible that the total costs would be less than the guaranteed maximum. These costs include the construction expenses only, they said, and not expenses such as technology and furnishings.

Dimeo Construction is overseeing the project.