Whately Select Board Backs Center School Bond Bid, Approves Survey Funds

WHATELY -- March 25, 2026, Whately Select Board votes to pursue state transportation bond earmark for Center School. The board voted unanimously at its March 25 meeting to authorize a Center School Committee representative identified as Jonathan to contact state Sen. Jo Comerford and request inclusion of Center School infrastructure improvements in a pending transportation bond bill, a vehicle officials described as informal and non-binding at the concept stage but potentially significant for unlocking future funding. The senator had previously secured $100,000 for the town's highway garage in last year's transportation bill. The board also approved spending $4,300 from the building stabilization fund to survey land at 71-77 Christian Lane for a potential new highway department building, pending a required two-thirds town meeting vote. Separately, Franklin Regional Council of Governments planner Megan Rhodes presented draft comprehensive plan chapters projecting up to 410 new housing units possible under current zoning in a town of roughly 700 existing homes, warning that "development pressure is coming."