This recent article from the Telegram and Gazette offers good news for the Town of Southbridge: town councilors recently approved borrowing $76.5 million to move along a project for a brand new middle-high school facility on Torrey Road.  Senator Moore recently expressed to the Town Council his desire to see the funds allocated for the project, and described the project as a "solid and positive investment in the future of Southbridge."  Read the article in its entirety below:

Councilors OK new middle-high school

By Brian Lee

SOUTHBRIDGE — Town councilors last night unanimously approved borrowing $76.5 million for a middle-high school facility on Torrey Road to replace two outdated buildings.

Officials called it a historic vote, and Councilor Catherine E. Nikolla kissed retiring School Superintendent Dale M. Hanley for her guidance of the long-talked-about project. It will be paid for with 80 percent reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

“Nobody could have asked for a better, more able, willing superintendent of schools who was a tiger and fought very hard for our community,” said Ms. Nikolla, also a member of the School Building Committee. “Every single thing we got is a result of Dale Hanley’s hard work and persistence.”

The result will be an approximately 200,000-square-foot, three-story building to house Grades 6 through 12, holding up to about 1,100 students, with separate entrances for middle and high school students as well as separate administration areas.

The plan is to break ground next year, with occupancy in 2013.

The town’s approximately $20 million share can be paid for with existing revenue and won’t require a debt exclusion, Town Manager Christopher Clark said.

Council Chairman Steven S. Lazo thanked the building committee — which is chaired by his brother, Scott S. Lazo — the School Committee, and Ms. Hanley for their work.

The building is expected to last at least 50 years, and the project includes development of the site, an access road, parking and athletic fields.

Council actions to support the proposal included ratifying contract amendments with Joslin Lesser & Associates for $1.8 million in project management services, and with Tappe Associates for more than $5 million in engineering costs.