Bare Necessity Bond Barely Squeaks By
Wood Chip Heating Facility Defeated

by Edd Merritt

One passed and one failed as 616 townspeople cast their ballots for and against two articles that would authorize the Board of School Directors to pay for physical renovations to Charlotte Central School. Town Clerk Mary Mead, who had predicted a low voter turnout, saw her prediction prove true as approximately 22 percent of Charlotte’s registered voters came to the polls.
Article I, a request to issue bonds not to exceed $2.8 million to be used to finance renovation of the 1949 building, the school’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC), and to repair the building roofs, passed by a mere four votes, 310 in favor, 306 opposed.
The second article, calling for bonds to finance a new alternative fuel heating plant (one that burns wood chips), failed by a significant vote of 117 in favor to 498 opposed. The cost for article II was set at no more than $1.6 million.
Although there is currently a moratorium on school construction aid through the state, the board plans to obtain funds from government (i.e. stimulus funds), which required prior voter approval, and to “take advantage of all funding options available.”
The board spent the last month hosting open houses at the school and giving presentations and hearings at locations around town.
The tax impact on a $100,000 home is estimated to be $30 with stimulus money, and $50 without the stimulus funds.