Be Informed About

The NHS Expansion Plan

To the Editor:

I am writing to inform others as to the next step in the Board of Education’s request for a special appropriation for an additional $6 million for the NHS expansion project. This last April, the $38 million bonding for this project, along with the annual budget, was well-supported with a margin of over 1,200 votes. Recently, bids have come in higher than the amount approved by the voters, thus the request for a special appropriation for the difference.

In its advisory role, this week the Board of Finance did not support this request for the special appropriation, failing in a 3-3 vote. Next week, on Wednesday September 17, at 7:30, the request will go to the Legislative Council for consideration. If the council votes in support of the appropriation, the Board of Selectmen will be asked to set a date for a referendum for the additional funding. If it fails in the Legislative Council, as it did with the BOF, the currently proposed project will no longer be feasible.

If you would like to have a voice in this process, please contact your representatives via email or phone. If you would like to hear additional details regarding the appropriation, I encourage you to attend the upcoming meeting. It is my hope that some of the same questions that you might have will be answered.

Please check the town website for the location of the September 17 meeting. You will also find contact information at that site for our Legislative Council and Board of Education representatives.

Thank you,

Sarah Beier

7 Yogananda Street, Sandy Hook                       September 10, 2008