BRUNSWICK
The fate of a $33.7 million proposal to replace Coffin Elementary School and repair Brunswick Junior High School appears to be in limbo.
The town council on Tuesday made no decision on whether to send the proposed bond to voters in June, after a lengthy public hearing.
A motion near 10:20 p.m. by Councilor Steve Walker to suspend the council rules and vote on setting a referendum failed.
Walker and Councilor John Perreault, who seconded Walker’s motion, were the only councilors favoring an up or down vote.
“I’m in favor of sending this to referendum,” Perreault said. “It’s allowing the people to have the right to say yes or no.”
Councilors did not say when they would decide to the fate of the proposal.
There were several factors at play as the council, school officials and the public wrestled with the proposal.
The school department plans to apply for state aid, but there’s no guarantee of approval, said Superintendent Paul Perzanoski.
Architect Lyndon Keck said Brunswick’s application will be one of up to 75 that the state will consider. The state’s decision is expected in June 2018.
A majority of homeowners would pay at least $161 more a year in property taxes, according to Brunswick Finance Director Julie Henze.
Resident and Concerned Citizens of Brunswick member Jean Powers said many could not pay for a property tax increase. About 75 percent of the town’s population is on a fixed income, she said.
That figure was disputed by School Board Facilities Chairwoman Sarah Singer, who cited census figures indicating about 19 percent of Brunswick residents are over age 65, making the number in town on a fixed income much lower.
Resident John Donahue urged the town to act on a new school building, adding that schools are “one of the most sought after attributes for a town.”
“All the appropriate due diligence has been completed here … it makes an informed decision that much easier,” Donahue said
State building aid “is lengthy and quite frankly, uncertain. It puts us years out and we have a need now and that’s imminent. Delaying action will cost us more,” said Donahue.
lconnell@timesrecord.com
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