TURNER — Voters will be asked to fund a wood-fired boiler and create new adult education space. A public hearing for more details is set for 6 p.m. on July 12 at the Leavitt Area High School Auditorium in advance of the SAD 52 special referendum.

A vote will follow July 19 from 1 to 7 p.m. at local polling places.

In the first referendum question, the district asks for authorization to issue up to $600,000 in bonds or notes to build a bio-mass boiler to be housed in a new building behind Tripp Middle School. It would serve both that school and Turner Elementary School, and the current oil boilers would serve as backup. The district also needs approval to accept a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant for the remainder of the project, which is estimated to cost $1 million. The project won’t go forward without the grant.

With current oil and wood chip prices, the district’s fuel savings are estimated at $110,475 a year. The estimated payback period is approximately six years, based on the local contribution of no more than $600,000.

In the second referendum question, the district is looking to purchase, renovate and furnish property at 425 Turner Center Road for $315,000. It would become home to the adult education program, which has seen big jumps in enrollment the last two years. Academic enrollment grew 191 percent from August 2009 to September 2010. This semester six classes have moved to other locations because of scheduling conflicts. The new location would allow daytime programming for adult students without competing for space with the prekindergarten to grade 12 student population.

The property abuts Leavitt Area High School. The purchase price of the building is $225,000. Renovations and furnishings are estimated at $90,000.