PHOTO GALLERY: Visual Update on Norton High Construction

A ceiling and floors were put in after the steam beams were erected.

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Groundbreaking for High School Addition to be Delayed

Septic component pushing project back up to eight weeks.

The groundbreaking for the new addition to Norton High School may not happen as early as hoped. “It may be delayed up to 6 to 8 weeks based on some EPA approvals we need for the septic system,” said Tom Golota, who is on the Building Project Committee. Originally, shovels were set to hit the ground early March, but because the sewer component of the project needs to be finished first, work cannot begin on the building. The school will forgo using a septic system and will instead be tied into the town's waste water system. Committee members believe the project completion goal of Dec. 30, 2013 is still attainable. “Right now all of the construction people involved feel there are some ways we can move things around and escalate some pieces …

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School Committee Quick Notes for Jan. 9 Meeting

Science lab dedication, high school building project update.

While more detailed stories will be posted throughout the next couple of days, here is a quick blow-by-blow on what happened at Monday night's School Committee meeting. Tune in at 2 p.m. for a story on the dedication of a science lab to Peter Leddy who recently passed away.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

NHS Looking Forward to Renovations, Track

Letter to the editor by NHS student Kaleigh Schleicher for a journalism assignment.

Dear Editor,       I am very excited for the new renovations at the Norton High School.  I believe this change has been long over due. A new track and bleachers have been added which will greatly benefit our athletes.  The old track was so dangerous that other schools were refusing to participate in events on it. This renovation will give everyone something to look forward too.       Other, new renovations will give everyone hope for a better education. Currently we have classrooms with no windows; the renovations will help to eliminate this and will be a positive change for our school.  I was so happy when the community voted yes for the new school improvements because it shows they care about us students. We are very grateful to be …

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Spend Money Now or Pay More Later

Norton residents Marie and Dave Thompson share their opinion on the high school building project.

To the Editor: This week we’re replacing our windows in our home.  It’s been 25 years since the house was built and the windows no longer keep out the heat on a 90° day or a cold draft when the temperature dips below freezing.  Believe me, it’s not an expense that we really want right now, especially with gas prices hovering at $4.00 a gallon and our oil bill for the past winter the highest it has ever been since we moved to Norton in 1993.  We have a choice – continue to pay to heat our home each year and have some of that heat escape through the cracks and crevices in the window sills or “bite the bullet” and pay to have the windows replaced, ultimately saving us money on both heating and cooling our home in the long run.  The decision …

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AN INSIDE LOOK

Luck, Timing Bad For School Committee Lately

As the big vote approaches, the school committee has not had the best week.

 The Norton School Committee either has very bad luck, or very little political skill.  Or maybe it’s a bit of both. The committee was informed this week that the Massachusetts School Building Authority has postponed their next meeting from May 25 to June 8. That is significant in that one of the purposes of that meeting is to finalize and approve the reimbursement rate of 64.42 percent set for Norton’s high school building project.  School officials have been touting the fact the reimbursement rate would be set in stone prior to the Town Meeting vote on June 6, but it appears that will now not be the case. In fairness, the MSBA vote appears to be just a formality. There is almost no chance the reimbursement rate will change, and the vote …

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High School Exterior Design Presented to School Committee

Design to be modern and more functional.

High School Building Committee member Kevin O’Neil revealed the exterior design plans for Norton High School to the school committee Monday night. While interior designs of the 32,000 square foot, two-floor addition have been available to the public through various informational meetings, displays during events in town and online, the exterior designs are fairly new. They show a modern looking front entrance with a lot of windows and even a potential area to showcase the artwork of students. The only changes to the interior design were made to the cafeteria, which will not extend underneath the second floor overhang and the size of the restroom and science preparation areas. The high school building project will go before voters June 6 at …

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Norton Officials to Seek Bid for New High School Track, Bleachers

Bid set for $825,000.

In addition to the school itself, officials will be seeking a facelift for the high school track and bleachers at Special Town Meeting in June. Beforehand, a bid will be put out for $825,000 that will confirm the actual cost of the project. With this money, the track will be taken up and the asphalt underlayment will be re-ground and reused to create the new base. Cracks were patched last summer as a temporary fix. According to superintendent Dr. Patricia Ansay, the material used in the current track dates back to the mid 80s. The bleachers will also be replaced. Currently, a section is taped off for safety reasons. “In all lanes of the track there are holes, and cracks, which could roll any runners ankle if they aren’t paying attention. …

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Kelly A. Mello

5:36 pm on Monday, May 16, 2011

Victor is on the Norton Cable TV board of directors.   more ›

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Norton High Renovation Project – An Opportunity We Can’t Afford to Miss

Project to go before voters this June.

TO THE EDITOR: It is my hope that at this point most Norton residents are aware of the High School Renovation Project opportunity. If not, now is the time to get informed. If you do, you will quickly and easily see how this project can benefit us all in so many ways. Ensuring this project moves forward is important for all residents, whether you have children in the school system or not.   It is common knowledge that the Norton High School is in dire need of improvement. The building is 40 years old and has insufficient space for students and equipment, inefficient heating/electrical systems, outdated science labs, insufficient facilities to support today’s technology–and this list goes on. If you are unfamiliar with the extent to which …

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PATCH FACTS

5 Things You Need To Know Today: March 22

Your Patch Facts for the day.

Five Things You Should Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section. 1.) Starting 10 a.m., New Testament Christian School of Norton will hold their annual Academic Fair for students in Grades 7 through 12.  Past student projects included:  “Obesity vs. The Golden Arches: What Ronald Doesn’t Want You To Know,” “A Twin Link,” “Fashion Economy” and “The Divinity of the Bible.” Students receiving top honors will showcase their projects in an upcoming Association of Christian Schools International Regional Fair to be held on in April at New England Christian Academy in Swansea. For more …

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