OLD LYME — The third and final meeting to be held the Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools Board of Education about their proposed $57.6 million Renovation/Building plan will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at Mile Creek School. All are welcome.
The plan is the subject of referendum to be held Nov. 8, in Lyme and Old Lyme. The ballot question will read as follows and offer the option of a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response.
“Shall the resolution appropriating and authorizing bonds in the amount of $57,555,000, of which it is expected that an estimated $9,775,000 shall be reimbursed by the State of Connecticut, for the planning, design, demolition, construction, renovation, equipping and furnishing of Mile Creek School, Center School, Lyme Consolidated School and Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School and related costs, be approved?“
Asked what format the Public Meetings would take, LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser told LymeLine by email, “I will be presenting an overview of the project including financial implications and then will open the floor for questions.”
Neviaser added, “We encourage everyone to show up to learn more about this proposal and help inform their vote for November 8,” continuing, “We may also have a Zoom option for remote questions.”
He noted, “Those who cannot attend can watch the presentations on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/
Check this article, Separate Absentee Ballots Needed for Nov. 8 State Election, School Building Referendum; Ballots Now Available, to review absentee voting requirements for the referendum.
I was one of approximately 10 residents who attended the proposed Building/Renovation Plan on October 13 at the LOL Senior Center. The plan was well presented by Superintendent Ian Neviaser.
While I do not disagree with the data that supports the proposed renovations, HVAC/Security & ADA compliant issues, I do believe that considering the current economic uncertainty we all face that the timing for a 57 Million Dollar upgrade to the four schools is untimely.
None of the proposed renovations fall into the category of critical, meaning that it’s failure would shutdown school activity, currently the district spends approximately 4 million dollars annually on facility maintenance in my opinion that’s sufficient to keep the older/current systems functioning.
At some point, hopefully soon, economic conditions will improve and then and only then will it be tine to reconsider this plan.