SANFORD — Voters head to the polls one week from today to cast ballots on a $43 million state-funded school renovation and expansion project, on a funding plan for a state-mandated asbestos removal initiative at two school buildings and a number of other ballot questions.

As well, they’ll cast validation votes on municipal and school budgets that were approved by the City Council earlier this year. The combined municipal and school spending plan is $69.2 million, $30.6  million of which is to be raised through taxation. 

There is no anticipated increase in the $22.74 mil rate for the fiscal year that begins July 1.

The municipal portion of the budget calls for one new police officer, one new dispatcher and two new firefighter/paramedic positions. 

The city took in more in revenue than anticipated in the current year. It will use $1.1 million from the municipal undesignated fund balance, up from the $850,000 it has earmarked to offset the budget the last few years, though City Manager Steve Buck said the city has been able to avoid using those funds.

The $43 million state-funded building renovation and expansion plan will see Sanford High School transformed into a grade 5 to 8 middle school, once the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center opens in the fall of 2018.

The current junior high school will be renovated for a Pre-K to grade four school, and Margaret Chase Smith School will be doubled in size, and also accommodate grades Pre-K to grade four. Carl J. Lamb School is not in the renovation plan, but will also be a Pre-K to grade four school. 

Under the plan, Lafayette and Willard schools will close and the Memorial Gym, now under the helm of the School department, will be turned over to the city.

There is no local financial match for the expansion and renovation project.

Sanford voters will be asked to finance two state-mandated asbestos removal projects but under the terms of the two referendum questions the state is prepared to forgive two-thirds of the loans, leaving Sanford taxpayers to pick up the tab for only one-third of the projects — which will paid interest-free over a period of time, said School Committee Chairman John Roux.

“It comes down to whether we get financial help from the state — two-thirds, with the rest an interest-free loan — or we pay for it ourselves,” Roux said.

The local group Build Our Future, which formed a few years ago as approvals for the new high school and technical school project were sought, is urging voters to go to the polls.

“If we vote no … or don’t get out and vote, $43 million slips past us and on to the next municipality on the list,” the group said on their social media page. “The only answer is yes.”

The two asbestos projects are referendum questions 2 and 3. Question 2 asks voters to approve a $488,456 bond  over 10 years at the current Sanford High School,  with the anticipation, according to the question, that the state will forgive 65.74 percent of the loan — up to $311,111, leaving Sanford to pay 34.26  percent, or $167,345,  with no interest. Question 3 asks voters to approve $117,257 for asbestos removal at Sanford Junior High School over 10 years, with the anticipation that the state will forgive $77,085, or 65.74 percent, leaving the city to pay $40,172, or $34.26 percent, at no interest.

Questions 4 through 7 ask voters to approve setting up a fuel cost stabilization fund, a generic capital reserve fund, a special education reserve fund and a health insurance reserve fund. The question does not fund the reserve accounts; it merely asks voters to approve establishing them.

“It’s really important to get out and vote,” said Roux, the Sanford School Committee chairman.

Voters in Ward 1 go to the polls at Nasson Community Center, 457 Main St.; Ward 2, St. Ignatius Parish Hall, 25 Riverside Ave.; and Ward 3, Curtis Lake Church,. 38 Westview Drive. 

Polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 13.

The City Clerk’s office, at 117 Main St., will be open  extended hours — until 7 p.m. on Thursday for those registering to vote, requesting an absentee ballot or other election-related matters.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].