SUMNER – A public hearing will be held tonight to discuss a Nov. 2 referendum question on revamping the heating system at the Hartford-Sumner Elementary School.

The meeting begins in the gym at the school at 7 p.m.

The referendum asks voters of Hartford, Sumner and Buckfield, the three towns in SAD 39, to approve borrowing $39,532 as the district’s share of the $98,780 project. The state is picking up the balance of the cost, under its revolving renovation fund.

The district share would be repaid over five years, with no interest.

The project is needed, say district officials, because the existing boiler system is inadequate to heat the school. The school has had two additions built since the original school was built in 1966.

The project would replace one boiler and install additional radiators to each classroom to match the heating demand of the rooms. The work will also involve upgrading the hot water pumps and providing individual room thermostats to control the heat to each room.

If voters agree to the borrowing, most of the work is expected to be completed by the beginning of January. During the renovation, several primary classrooms in the lower wing will need to be relocated for several days.

The work would be done by Honeywell International Inc., which the district has used for more than 10 years to provide emergency service at the elementary school.