The Southwick Select Board last night approved the draft of a letter that answers questions about the proposed school renovation project.
“It will be sent to every household and business,” said Selectman Arthur Pinell. “It has answers to frequently asked questions so residents will have a firsthand response from the Board of Selectmen, and hopefully eliminate confusion and misinformation.”
Pinell said the letter will “clarify our position” in support of the project.
The letter is being reviewed this week and is planned to reach residents next week.
A ballot question May 8 will ask voters whether or not to approve a debt exclusion for the revised project, which would cost Southwick taxpayers just over $23 million. The new estimated cost for the average Southwick property taxpayer is $209 a year for the length of the loan, which is 25 years.
Granville and Tolland residents approved the original project proposal in January when Southwick voted down the debt exclusion. The votes in those towns still stand and only Southwick will vote on the revised project.
Barry said in addition to a small cost reduction, the taxpayer burden was further reduced with the use of a more realistic interest rate. Another component of the reduction in taxes is $800,000 additional reimbursement from the Massachusetts School Building Authority for Green Energy.
Both the school department and town committed to reductions in capital spending, instead deferring the funds normally spent on capital projects toward the project debt.
