SOUTHWICK – The Southwick-Tolland-Granville Regional School Committee approved a timeline for the school building project by a 6-1 vote last night.
Committee member Darrell Cass was the lone vote against the measure.
The financial timeline includes the following: issue $2 million in bond anticipation notes with a one-year maturity; issue $20 million in district bounds in May 2013; issue remaining $7.689 million in bonds in November 2014; bonds retired in 2040.
Cass said he believes there should be more green initiatives built into the project.
“I’ve been holding back on voting no against anything in regard to the school project, but I think people voted for me to oppose the project,” he said.
Cass said one of the reasons he believes some people were against the project was because of green issues.
“The people don’t want to expand the building,” he said.
Committee member Jean McGivney-Burelle said that Cass was not elected to vote no.
“You were elected because yours was the only name on the ballot,” she said.
Chairman James Vincent said even if the committee wanted to entertain discussion on more green projects, it was not possible.
“The town has already voted on it and the plan has been built,” said Vincent.
Superintendent Dr. John Barry added that the plans include green projects, which were outlined in a recent update by the architects.
“We’re doing everything we can afford to do,” said Barry.
Business Manager Stephen Presnal updated the committee during the meeting on the health insurance coverage for employees.
Last spring there was controversy over a new plan and after much deliberation, the district continued to offer its previous “value plus plan” option. Since then, Presnal said, about 70 percent of employees have opted to return to the value plus plan.
The committee also unanimously approved hiring a bus garage assistant with a $4,000 a year stipend and also approved a Spanish Club trip to Ecuador in February of 2014.
