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TOWN OF NORTH STONINGTON
MINUTES OF SPECIAL TOWN MEETING - APRIL 28, 2014
AND REFERENDUM - MAY 5, 2014
A special Town Meeting of electors and citizens qualified to vote in Town Meetings of the Town of North Stonington, Connecticut was held in the North Stonington Elementary School Multi-Purpose Room, Norwich Westerly Rd, North Stonington, CT on Monday, April 28, 2014 at 7:03 p.m. Present First Selectman Nicholas H Mullane II, Selectman Mark Donahue and Selectman Bob Testa. Also present Dan Spring Chairman of the Board of Finance, Walter Mathwich Secretary to the BOE and Vice Chairman of the School Ad Hoc Committee, David McCord, Chairman of the Board of Education and Peter Nero, Superintendent of Schools. Selectman Mullane called the meeting to order then asked the Town Clerk Norma Holliday to read the call of the meeting. Selectman Mullane read the order of the presentations and
that everyone would have a chance for questions and comments after. Selectman Mullane asked for a motion from the floor to elect a Moderator. A MOTION was made by Shawn Murphy, seconded by Joe Gross, to elect Bob Shabunia Moderator. A MOTION was made by Warren Speh seconded by Joe Gross to close all nomination, the MOTION carried unanimously. Bob Shabunia was declared Moderator, and reminded everyone that the meeting was for discussion purposes only and the meeting will adjourn to a Referendum to be held on May 5, 2014 between the hours of noon to 8pm at the New Town Hall Conference Room on 40 Main St. North Stonington, CT.
1. To consider and vote upon a resolution,
(a) to appropriate $46,990,000 for costs with respect to the design, construction, equipping, and furnishing of additions and renovations to Wheeler Middle and High School and North Stonington Elementary School. Improvements to the Wheeler Middle and High School are contemplated to include: (1) an approximately 30,050 square feet addition to accommodate the music program including: a band room and a chorus/orchestra room, storage; a gymnasium including storage, concession, locker rooms, public toilets, and a lobby/circulation space; a science addition with science laboratory classrooms, lab preparatory and storage rooms, a graphics, CADD and computer lab; and an addition for the Kitchen and cafeteria; (2) improvements within the existing building including: fully renovated
classrooms and science laboratories; updating of language laboratory and classrooms; integration of the art and technology program in a fully renovated space; renovation of all classrooms; renovations, and improvements at the media center and special education programs; renovations associated with the nurse/hea1th clinic, administrative and guidance offices; and expansion and renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen; (3) various building systems improvements including: replacement of all mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and infrastructure; security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of an emergency generator and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including: separation of the
bus/parent/student/parking and circulation; and (6) related improvements and work. Improvements to the North Stonington Elementary School are contemplated to include: (1) an approximately 11,700 square feet addition to accommodate the music program including a band room that will be located on the stage, a gymnasium including storage, offices, public toilets, and a lobby/circulation space; (2) improvements within the existing building including: fully renovated classrooms and handicapped accessible toilets in the Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten classrooms; relocation of the art, music and technology program in a fully renovated space; relocation renovations and improvements of the media center and special education programs; renovations associated with the nurse/hea1th clinic, administrative and guidance offices; and expansion and renovation of the cafeteria and kitchen; (3) various building systems improvements including: replacement of all mechanical,
electrical, plumbing, and fire protections systems and infrastructure; security and communication systems upgrades; energy conservation improvements including exterior wall, door, window, and roof replacement or updates; central air conditioning system installation throughout the building; and installation of an emergency generator and alternative energy systems; (4) various code and ADA compliance improvements and renovations; (5) various site improvements including separation of the bus/parent/student/parking and circulation; accessibility to all site facilities; pavement resurfacing; physical education and athletic fields; and building access improvements; updating the site utility and drainage infrastructure; and (6) related improvements and work. The appropriation may be spent for design, construction, acquisition and installation costs, site improvements, infrastructure improvements, equipment, furnishings, materials, architectural, engineering, consultant, and other
professional fees including legal fees, administrative costs, including costs related to the application for and acceptance of grants, the payment of net temporary interest and other financing costs and other expenses related to the project or its financing. The Building Committee, for the School Project -- Wheeler Middle and High School and North Stonington Elementary School established by the Town Ordinances for the project shall determine the final scope and particulars of the project. Said Building Committee may reduce or modify the scope of the project if funds are not sufficient to complete the entire project, and the appropriation may be spent on the project as so reduced or modified. The Town anticipates applying for and receiving a grant from the State Department of Education to defray in part eligible costs of the project.
(b) to authorize the issue bonds or notes of the Town in an amount not to exceed $46,990,000 to finance the appropriation; to authorize the First Selectman and the Treasurer of the Town to determine the amounts, dates, interest rates, maturities, redemption provisions, form and other details of the bonds or notes; and to perform all other acts which are necessary or appropriate to issue the bonds or notes; to take such action to allow temporary advances of available funds which the Town reasonably expects will be reimbursed from the proceeds of borrowings; and to authorize the First Selectman and the Treasurer to bind the Town pursuant to such representations and covenants as they deem necessary or advisable in order to maintain the
continued exemption from federal income taxation of interest on the bonds or notes authorized by the resolution if issued on a tax-exempt basis, including covenants to pay rebates of investment earnings to the United States in future years; and to authorize the First Selectman and the Treasurer to make representations and enter into written agreements for the benefit of holders of the bonds or notes to provide secondary market disclosure information, which agreements may include such terms as they deem advisable or appropriate in order to comply with applicable laws or rules pertaining to the sale or purchase of such bonds or notes;
(c) to authorize the First Selectman, the Board of Education and other proper officers and officials of the Town, on behalf of the Town, to enter into contracts or agreements, apply for and accept grants for the project and take any other actions necessary or desirable to accomplish the project contemplated by this resolution; and
(d) to authorize the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Education, the First Selectman, the Treasurer and other proper officers and officials of the Town to take all other action which is necessary or desirable to complete the project and to issue bonds and notes and obtain grants to finance the aforesaid appropriation.
2. Pursuant to Section 7_7 of the General Statutes of Connecticut, Revision of 1958, as amended, to adjourn said town meeting at its conclusion and to submit the resolution to be presented under item 1 of this notice to vote upon voting machines or paper ballots between the hours of 12 NOON. and 8:00 P.M. on Monday, May 5, 2014. Electors and persons qualified to vote in town meetings who are not electors shall vote at the following polling place:
Town of North Stonington
New Town Hall
40 Main Street, North Stonington, Connecticut
Absentee ballots will be available from the Town Clerk’s office. The resolutions will be placed on the ballots under the following heading:
“SHALL THE TOWN OF NORTH STONINGTON APPROPRIATE $46,990,000 FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND FURNISHING OF ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS TO WHEELER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND NORTH STONINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN SUCH AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION?”
Voters approving the resolution will vote “Yes”
Voters opposing said resolution will vote “No.”
A MOTION made by Brett Mastroianni, seconded by Dave McCord to approve the resolution as presented, presentations and discussion followed.
Walter Mathwich Board of Education member and Permanent School Ad Hoc Committee Vice Chairman started off the presentation. Mr. Mathwich gave a presentation of the School Building Project from 2005 through the present time, explaining what had been done in that time frame to the schools. Architect Rusty Malik from the firm Quisenberry Arcari Architects, LLC in Farmington CT gave the next presentation. Mr. Malik spoke on the existing conditions, when the buildings were constructed, how out dated everything is, should the building be demolished or renovated, the possibilities of hazardous materials and security being a large issue. He also stated the building needed to be rejuvenated and brought up to code. The sixth grade would be moved over to the Elementary school. Mr.
Malik gave a presentation of what the Elementary school would look like after the additions and renovations where completed. Mr. Malik moved on to the High School explaining the additions, demolition plans and the future expansion plans. He also explained the phases of the project and that it would take place over the course of 2015-2016 replacing roofs, windows and making everything energy efficient. Space Standards and State Reimbursements where also covered. The budget brake down was also explained and what is eligible for reimbursement from the State. Dan Spring Chairman of the Board of Finance was the next presenter, he spoke on moving forward and the Plan of Conservation and development and how the residents contributed to the Plan regarding what they want to see happen in the Town. Mr. Spring also feels that a good school would bring young families to town and what the affect would be on the town with a new school. He also touched on
the grand list, and how the debt is down to low levels, spoke of the mill rate impact and the increase to the average home. Mr. Spring emphasized on the A 1 credit rating the Town has and what the interest rates could be in 2 to 3 years would change the amount of money needed to borrow. He asked everyone to make an investment in our community and move forward with the project. The next presentation was from Peter Nero Superintendent of Schools he started his presentation giving a brief overview of the 2004 NEACT report regarding the administration and project reports such as issues of things missing from the school or is not up to date or has safety concerns. The last presenter for the evening was Board of Education Chairman David McCord he stated the school buildings need attention and upgrades it would be cost effective to get it done now when the state can reimburse the Town and interest rates are at a low. McCord thanked everyone for their hard
work on the project. The following people asked questions and made comments:
Bing Bartnick-Wyassup Rd Joe Gross-Hickory Lane
Mark Perkins-Anna Farm Rd Vilma Gregoropoulos-Wyassup Rd
Brian Rathbun-Grindstone Hill Rd Carolyn Howell-Babcock Rd
Robbin Donahue-Laurelwood Rd John Olsen-Wyassup Rd
Anne Nalwalk-Northwest Corner Rd Mike Urgo-Kingwoods Drive
Rosemary Rendiero-Pendleton Hill Rd Wayne Coats-Wyassup Rd
Elaine Boissevain-Pendleton Hill Rd Betty Perkowski-Hangman Hill Rd
Chris Johnson-Ledgend Wood Rd Van Brown-Button Rd
Colleen Smith-Babcock Rd Bob Testa-Pinecrest Rd
Walter Mathwich explained the process of what the next step would be if the project was approved.
A MOTION made by Shawn Murphy, seconded by Joe Gross to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 pm to the Referendum to be held on May 5, 2014 between the hours of 12 noon to 8pm.
May 5, 2014
Referendum Results
The April 28, 2014 Special Town Meeting reconvened at 8:16 pm on May 5, 2014 by moderator Bob Shabunia following the Referendum, the results were read by the Referendum Moderator Debra Barnes:
“SHALL THE TOWN OF NORTH STONINGTON APPROPRIATE $46,990,000 FOR THE DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, EQUIPPING AND FURNISHING OF ADDITIONS AND RENOVATIONS TO WHEELER MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND NORTH STONINGTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, AND AUTHORIZE THE ISSUE OF BONDS AND NOTES IN SUCH AMOUNT TO FINANCE THE APPROPRIATION?”
457 YES 694 NO
A MOTION made by Nicholas Mullane, seconded by Dan Spring to adjourn at 8:18 pm. MOTION carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Holliday
Town Clerk
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