Voters to consider proposed $33.89 budget, bond proposal

FARMINGTON — Voters in the 10 towns of Regional School Unit 9 will consider a $33.89 million budget at the polls Tuesday, June 13.

The vote will be a yes or no validation referendum.

The proposal represents a 3.51 percent, or $1.14 million, increase over the 2016-17 budget.

District officials do not know exactly what will be received for revenues from the state because the Legislature has not passed a budget yet. The tax assessments to towns are up over last year’s assessment. If more money is given to the district, it is expected that at least some of it will be used to lower those assessments to try and have no increase to the towns.

Last year, eight out of 10 towns saw reduced tax assessments.

Voters will also consider a bond proposal for $317,834 to be repaid over 10 years for capital improvement projects.

Business Manager Kris Potter estimated the annual payment, using an estimated 3½ percent interest, would be about $38,217. The district will pay off a bond payment of $29,104 in 2017-18. Another bond payment of $48,232 is slated to be paid off in the following year’s budget.

Projects in the bond are:

Cushing School, Wilton

• Replace gym roof because a section of the building is laminated wood frame with wood roof deck showing water stains. Cost is $37,000.

• Replace old single-pane wood and aluminum-framed windows with double-pane low E argon, high-performance window to improve heating efficiency and security. Cost is $43,000.

• Installation of flat-panel LED lights in six classrooms to save energy and reduce maintenance costs. Cost is $9,000.

Cascade Brook School, Farmington

• Pneumatic heating controls removed/upgraded. Cost is $19,081.

Cape Cod Hill School, New Sharon

• Main entrance/bus unloading area needs work. Concrete surface to be replaced with pavement. Cost is $11,303.

• Window replacement of second-floor classroom with double-pane low E argon windows. Cost is $35,000.

Adult Education, Mt. Blue Campus

• Paving for wheelchair transfer area and installing 11 additional parking spaces, including two handicapped spaces. Cost is $25,000.

Mount Blue Campus

• F-Wing air conditioning for second floor. Seven classrooms with fixed windows to get air conditioners. Project includes new electrical circuitry and direct venting to outside. Cost is $23,450.

Mt. Blue Middle School

• Replace domestic H2O storage tanks installed more than 10 years ago. One of them has failed. Cost is $20,000.

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Voting hours for RSU 9 on proposed budget, bond projects are:

Chesterville: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office

Farmington: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Community Center

Industry: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office

New Sharon: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Office

New Vineyard: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Smith Hall

Starks: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Community Center

Temple: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Town Hall

Vienna: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fire Station