Building panel votes 6-0 to cut $3.9 million from school design

Shaker Lane School Building Committee · Meeting of July 22, 2026

Littleton's Shaker Lane School Building Committee cuts $3.9 million to stay within its $81.7 million construction budget. The panel voted 6-0 to approve a value-engineering list after cost estimates came in around $85.5 million, and voted 6-0 to authorize submission of a roughly 195-page design development package to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, due Friday, despite the chairman saying he was "quite disappointed" members hadn't seen the full document. The board also approved two project invoices, from designer Studio G and construction manager Gilbane, by 6-0 roll call.

Abutter Kathleen Volpe used public comment to press for assurance on tree-removal timing and to flag concern that seismic testing near her foundation-on-ledge home could pose risk ahead of blasting. Construction is slated to begin July 1, 2027.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,683 words

Source: the Shaker Lane School Building Committee meeting of July 22, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.