January 16, 2025
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Waltham Elementary to pursue referendum to fund $10 million annex

DeMaso to lead board as it pursues April 1 ballot question

By Tom Collins
Skip DeMaso was named president of the Waltham Elementary school board on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, replacing Jim McCabe, who resigned. DeMaso's biggest task: selling Utica residents on a tax hike to fund a $10 million annex.

Skip DeMaso was named president of the Waltham Elementary school board on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, replacing Jim McCabe, who resigned. DeMaso's biggest task: selling Utica residents on a tax hike to fund a $10 million annex. (Tom Collins)

Waltham Elementary School has 10 more weeks to persuade Utica-area voters to fund a $10 million annex. A new board president will lead the charge.

On Wednesday, the Waltham Elementary School District 185 Board emerged from closed session and named Skip DeMaso board president. He succeeds longtime board President Jim McCabe, whose resignation (given without explanation) was accepted.

“Big shoes to fill,” DeMaso said of McCabe, who had served on the board for more than 20 years.

DeMaso takes over at a pivotal time. After months of discussion, Waltham voted in December to adopt a resolution seeking $9.96 million for a building addition to ease the Utica school’s space constraints.

A survey was conducted to gauge public sentiment about the project. Superintendent Kristi Eager said the results have not yet been compiled but are expected soon. Visit the district’s website at wesd185.org next week to view the newest results as well as frequently asked questions and to access a link for the submission of questions.

“I think we had fair participation,” Eager said of the responses submitted. “They were favorable in some ways and not favorable in other ways.”

Voters will decide April 1 whether to approve the projected 38-cent increase to fund it.

It might not be an easy sell. Last year, Utica Mayor David Stewart paid Waltham $1,636 on a total tax bill of $4,246. If the referendum passes and the projection holds, Stewart’s line-item to Waltham would jump 11% to $1,814.

Although the Utica school is relatively new, enrollment has swelled, and the district for some time has contemplated a permanent annex.

Early last year, the board approved a resolution to purchase 10 acres of adjoining property for $250,000. In December, the board decided to seek voter approval at the upcoming municipal elections.

In other matters, the board:

  • released a tentative calendar for the 2025-26 school year, with students reporting Aug. 13. The last day of school is May 21 unless emergency/snow days are required.
  • is accepting applications for McCabe’s vacant board seat
  • next meets Feb. 19.
Crews install four 70 x 70 modular classrooms on the new property next to Waltham School on Monday, July 8, 2024 in Utica. The school, built in 2018, has already outgrown its 240 student capacity and placed the four classrooms next to the school.

An aerial view shows Waltham School on Monday, July 8, 2024, in Utica. At that time, crews installed four 70-by-70 modular classrooms on the new property next to the school. The school, built in 2018, outgrew its student capacity and placed the four classrooms next to the school. Now a referendum will ask whether voters would like to make an annex permanent. (Scott Anderson)

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