At the ballot box:An explanation of voting ‘Yes’ on municipal Question No. 1

An explanation of voting ‘Yes’ on municipal Question No. 1
To the editor:
    On Nov, 6, you are being asked to approve a $5 million bond; $2.5 million of which will be used to fund the completion of a renovation project at Houlton High School, and $2.5 million to establish a new performing arts center. I am writing today to simplify some of the lengthy legal wording you will see on the ballot.
    Paragraph (1): A “Yes” vote will allow the MSAD 29 school board to issue a $5 million bond; $2.5 million of which will be used for renovations to Houlton High School and $2.5 million for the Houlton Community Arts Center expansion project.
    Paragraph (2): The Houlton Community Arts Center Council must privately raise $2.5 million in gifts and pledges in order to receive the matching $2.5 million.
    Paragraph (3): The Council may receive “gap financing” in order to begin construction prior to all written pledges being collected.
    Since the payments on this bond will be made through funds that are already in the current school budget, our current tax base won’t be impacted! Ten years ago, voters approved a 1 pt mill rate increase, amounting to approximately $300,000 annually, to fund a host of renovation projects that are in the process of being completed piecemeal style. A “Yes” vote on question no. 1 will expedite the completion of these renovations, saving money over the long term due to rising construction costs and current systems inefficiencies.
    In addition, these funds will assist us in constructing a much needed fine arts wing onto HHS. $2.5 of the $5 million dollar goal for the arts wing project will come from the bond package, which will be matched dollar for dollar through the private fundraising efforts of a group of dedicated volunteers. The partnership between the Houlton Community Arts Center Council and MSAD 29 School Board is in place to bring a total of $7.5 million in changes to Houlton High School that will give the community a facility that will be used by generations to come.
    So please show your support for education and the arts on November 6th by voting “Yes” on question no. 1. It is a win-win situation for the entire community.
Joe Fagnant, president
Houlton Community Arts Center Council