On Tuesday, voters will have the responsibility to vote for two bond questions, one for school improvements and the other for public works projects.
The school improvements question provides for $2.47 million (of which $657,000 is expected to be reimbursed by state grants) in upgrades and infrastructural improvements, including:
- $400,000 to reconfigure the bus loop at Buckley Elementary School;
- $710,000 to replace windows at Illing Middle School;
- $532,000 for a new roof and installation of HVAC modifications at Martin Elementary School;
- $500,000 for new furniture at Manchester High School;
- $280,000 to repave the bus loop at Keeney Street School;
- $47,500 for debt management.
Also, $100,000 left over from the 2001 bond question will be used to correct the moisture problem at Highland Park School. The Bi-Partisan School Renovation Committee will then examine more extensive upgrades at Highland and Verplank and (hopefully) prepare a sprint referendum question, and then redefine the process for renovating the 8 remaining schools.
The public works referendum question allocates $5.9 million (sadly, much less than is actually needed, but the Democratic Directors recognized Manchester's ability - and willingness - to pay) to the following:
- $1.18 million for sidewalk replacement and extensions;
- $250,000 for curb replacements;
- $400,000 for bridge repairs (on Hartford Road and Summit Street);
- $250,000 for drainage repairs;
- $750,000 for work in the West Side Neighborhood;
- $60,000 for debt management.
The bond questions received universal approval by the Board of Directors and should be marked "YES" on Election Day.
