Jessica Sharon gave a presentation on the rejuvenation of Windle Field at the School Committee's meeting on Wednesday night

Photo Credit: Steve Balestrieri

Michael O'Connor from the Millbury Finance Committee spoke at the School Committee's Public Hearing on the 2013 proposed budget

Photo Credit: Steve Balestrieri

MILLBURY, Mass. - A public hearing on a proposed $18.1 million school budget for fiscal year 2013 was held last night by  the Millbury School Committee.

Words got a bit testy after Superintendent Susan Hitchcock responded to comments made by Michael O'Connor from the Millbury Finance Committee.

O'Connor said the exact number of the School Committee's proposed budget of $18,189,439,  an increase of 3.65 percent over 2012, is subject to the town manager's budget which is due on March 1. Once the numbers are published and the town takes in its estimate on property taxes and possible new growth, certain items in the school budget would have "wiggle room" to interpretation.

Hitchcock said statements made by O'Connor were misleading and untrue. She said grants paid for staff already in place and that there was "no wiggle room" allowed  with the grants. She said grants are set up so that there is no flexibility, otherwise there would be no future grants or amendments approved for Millbury.

In other business, the committee was given a presentation by Freshman Jessica Sharon, a member of the Blackstone Valley Youth Leadership Academy being mentored by Town Clerk Jane Davolio.

Sharon is working on a proposed Windle Field Rejuvenation Project which the committee heard and approved.

Sharon's project calls for renovation of the building, the bathrooms and the kitchen as well as improving the benches and bleachers. Her plan is already at an advanced stage and she has meetings planned with business leaders throughout the community.

She has a host of volunteers lined up to help with the project, and Chairwoman Leslie Vigneau said that many of the School Committee members would be happy to volunteer as well.

As more details of her Rejuvenation Project become available, they will be posted here on theDailyMillbury.com