ISLAND FALLS, Maine — A planned renovation project for the town’s community center might cost taxpayers a bit more than originally anticipated.
At Thursday evening’s annual town meeting, which drew an audience of about 45 people, residents learned that estimates for the proposed renovation project came in higher than expected.
Back in December 2018, the town received a $125,000 grant from the Gloria C. MacKenzie Foundation to upgrade the Island Falls Community Center. The proposed project includes remodeling bathrooms, installing LED lights, updating the heating system, installing new insulation and creating handicapped accessibility to the gymnasium.
Originally the town hoped to complete the project for $155,103, with only $25,103 raised in taxes. However, once an engineering review was completed, the scope of the project ballooned to nearly $235,000.
Keith MacKenzie moderates Thursday night’s Island Falls town meeting. It marked the first time that the town has held its gathering on a weeknight, instead of a Saturday. (Joseph Cyr)
“Our estimates were low,” Selectman Frank Porter said. “There were some hidden costs to the entrance on the back side of the building and now the entire tile floor will have to be replaced.”
The board proposed taking up to $80,000 from its surplus account to cover the additional costs. If the project is not completed by December, the town must give back the $125,000 grant it received from the foundation.
A meeting with the project engineers will be held in the first week of April, according to Town Manager Jutta Beyer. The hope is that the town can find some ways to reduce the overall project cost, while not compromising on any of the planned renovations.
“I really think we can bring it down to around $185,000-$190,000,” Beyer said. “We are not doing anything fancy. Things just need to be updated.”
Residents agreed by a show of hands to allow town officials to use up to $80,000 from the surplus account for the project..
A total municipal budget of $994,706 was approved by the residents. That amount is $29,633 (2.89 percent) less than the previous spending plan.
At the polls earlier in the day, residents elected Anthony Binotto to the town’s board of selectmen for a three-year term with 57 votes. He ran unopposed for a seat previously held by Darrell Hartin, who chose not to seek re-election.
Greg Ryan was re-elected to the RSU 50 school board with 51 votes.
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- Island Falls resident Ralph McGauughey looks at the town report during Thursday night’s town meeting. About 45 residents attended the meeting and approved a municipal budget of $994,706. (Joseph Cyr)
