SOMERSET — Voters will get a second shot at approving plans to make athletic fields a part of the ongoing new Somerset Middle School building project. And this time, one can argue, paying for the fields would not be a financial burden.

Earlier this year, the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) announced that Somerset was one of 31 state towns/school districts to receive a supplemental grant for unanticipated cost escalations. Somerset's supplemental grant is for $6,886,598 million. The current middle school project is for $85 million and the MSBA's original grant, paid in monthly reimbursements, is for $31.8 million.

The town's middle school building committee is finalizing an article, requesting funding for construction of athletic fields and for solar panel installation on the new school, for the May 20 Town Meeting. Voters had previously rejected a similar proposal, thereby forcing middle school outdoor sports teams to be bused to other town venues for home events since spring of 2023.

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