HEBRON – At Saturday’s 2004 town meeting, voters gave town officials authorization to post a $39,000 bond to be used to complete renovations at the former Hebron Elementary School, converting into a town office complex.

According to Building Committee Chairman Robert Swift, the project is already under way, “and is progressing nicely.”

“We looked at three bids in the beginning,” he said, “but none of the bids included heating and all were higher than had been appropriated last year. After looking at the original bids, however, we have been able to negotiate savings down to $165,300 from the original low bid of $183,600. We now need an extra $39,000 to complete the project. The extra money includes $26,000 for a vault on the back of the building, $5,000 for a septic system and $8,000 for paving.

Swift also explained that the current septic system is connected with the sewer system for Hebron Academy, but the academy has pointed out that its system is not adequate to handle much extra sewage. As a result the committee feels it is better to install a system to serve the planned office complex to avoid any future problems if the complex continues to be connected to Hebron Academy.

There was some opposition to approving the bond issue, however, as some felt installing the vault could be put on hold for the time being.

Supporters, though, explained that the vault is needed for storage of important documents and computer storage disks, and it will be less expensive to have it installed while general construction is ongoing.

One question that was asked concerned interest, length of term for the bond and a final cost figure. The explanation given by selectman Chairman Richard Deans was that it would be a three-year bond, with an interest total of $1,989, adding up to a final total of $40,989.

With approval given for the bond issue, the project is expected to reach completion later this spring.

Also included in Saturday’s meeting were the annual municipal elections that saw all seats filled by incumbents with the exception of a seat on the board of directors for the Moody Library.

For that seat incumbent Richard Davidson was defeated by Sandra Bruno by a vote of 13 to 10. The term of the position is three years.

Other election issues saw Richard Deans elected for another three years as selectman, Assessor and Overseer of the Poor and Joan Clough given the nod as Clerk, Treasurer and Tax Collector for the coming year. Also, Glen Drake was re-elected as Road Commissioner for one year and Elizabeth Swift and Lewis Williams were returned to the SAD 17 School Board for three years.