Politics & Government

Representative Town Meeting Sends $133 Million School Proposal To Voters

Plan Will Be On The May Ballot

Representative Town Meeting on Wednesday approved a $133 million bonding ordinance for new school construction, a decision that places the question on the May ballot in a townwide referendum.

Representative Liz Luck said she was on the fence earlier this week, but voted for the project because she has three grandchildren in the school system, and believes the sacrifice will be worth it. 

“It’s unrealistic to expect your taxes not to change,” she said. “For people to go and vote and say ‘No’ right off the bat, to me, it’s a lack of concern for the children.”

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It was unclear whether the measure would get this far. In the weeks prior to Wednesday’s vote, several Representative Town Meeting members said they were unhappy with the school proposal because of its cost, timing and location of the proposed new middle school. One member said he would talk to others who wanted to prevent it from being placed on the ballot.

The motion needed a simple majority to pass, and of the 36 members present, 20 voted for it and 16 against. 

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Moderator Kevin Power told the group they were voting for or against the ordinance; not just putting it on the ballot.

“When this body majority wants to adopt an ordinance, it should be because it supports it,” he said.

The body broke up into caucus groups for about 30 minutes to discuss the issue.

The school construction plan would build a new middle school for seventh and eighth graders at the site of the current Claude Chester Elementary School and covert West Side Middle School and S.B. Butler Elementary into early childhood centers. Fitch Middle School and Pleasant Valley Elementary School would close. The remaining elementary schools would serve students in second through sixth grades. 

Opponents of the project said they're concerned about rising taxes, potential traffic problems at the new middle school site, and are not sold on the early childhood aspect of the plan.

Others said they believe it is comprehensive and fiscally responsible.

Representative Syma Ebbin does not support every aspect of the plan, but said, “there were some aspects that are outstanding.” 

Both sides cited money as a major factor in their decision. Tax increases would total about $3,600 over 20 years for the median household assessed at $165,410, according to recent town documents. 

Board of Education Chairman Brian Shirvell said the town can take advantage of low building costs and high state subsidies. 

“Right now we can get interest rates (of) 4 percent,” he said. “At some point, it’s going to turn around, and this could be extremely expensive.” 

Representative Town Meeting also approved two other items Wednesday night. The group adopted the $6.4 million dollar ordinance to rebuild Thames Street, and an ordinance to transfer $51,000 to pay for the staff, ballots, printing and distribution costs of the May 2 referendum.


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