West Bridgewater School Panel Votes Unanimously for LEED Green Certification

WEST BRIDGEWATER — February 25, 2025 — West Bridgewater School Building Committee votes unanimously for LEED certification and debates whether to expand new school to grades 5 and 6. The committee, meeting February 25 in its third preferred schematic report session, approved LEED over the CHIPS framework on the recommendation of its sustainability subcommittee and project manager Mitch of PMA, who said LEED is "just easier to obtain" and better understood by construction teams. The sole formal action of the evening was overshadowed by a lengthy debate over grade configuration: the current design targets pre-kindergarten through grade 4, but member Scott argued it is "financially irresponsible" to build the smaller school given the town's enrollment growth and a projected 55 percent state reimbursement, contending the total project vote could rise from roughly $150 million to $195 million — a $50 million difference — but that operating two buildings long-term and eventually replacing Howard and Spring Street would close that gap. The central obstacle is wastewater: three engineering firms told the committee they are not confident a treatment plant can be permitted on the Roselle site, while town public-works veterans cited by members dispute that conclusion. The committee took no vote on grade configuration and directed its civil engineer to meet with the Board of Health before the next session.