BRUNSWICK
The public will get its chance to comment tonight on whether the town should commit $950,000 in municipal bonds to pay for renovating the McLellan Building into the new town offices, or if the project should be funded through an emergency appropriation of unassigned funds in the town’s budget.
The town already is committed to the reconstruction project; the only question is how to pay for it.
A council subcommittee appointed to oversee the planning process recommends using the unassigned funds because, according to a Nov. 14 memo from Town Manager Gary Brown, it would save an estimated $247,000 in interest during the 15-year life of the bonds, as well as about $95,000 a year in debt service.
However, others on the council have expressed concern that having nearly $1 million in available cash could be handy when municipal and school budgeting season arrives in May and June.
If the council votes to approve purchase of municipal bonds, there is a question of scheduling: Construction at the McLellan Building is expected to begin Dec. 16, but the bonds likely wouldn’t be issued until two days later, on Dec. 18.
The council meeting begins at 7 p.m., but will be precededbya6p.m.executive session to discuss Brown’s performance evaluation.
Also tonight, councilors are expected to set a Dec. 2 public hearing to explain changes to the municipal voting districts, which take effect Jan. 1.
Under the proposed boundary modifications, District 3 — Chairwoman Suzan Wilson’s territory — is likely to lose voters while Sarah Brayman’s abutting District 7 is going to gain some. Precise numbers have yet to be calculated.
A change is mandated, according to information in the most recent national census, to ensure that none of the voting districts vary by more than 10 percent with regard to population. State congressional districts are scheduled to change in 2014, as well. While the state’s deadline is Jan. 1, the town is allowed more time to set its new ward boundaries. Still, municipal officials are working to get lines redrawn in synchronization with the state to avoid confusing constituents.
Additionally, the council likely will approve a $10,000 federal grant that will pay for overtime incurred by town police officers during a 10-month-long sober-driving awareness campaign. Administered by the state’s Department of Public Safety, the effort is part of a national crackdown on drunken or impaired driving, for which arrests often spike during the holiday season.
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