Staff Writer
HOULTON — The official public hearing on SAD 29’s upcoming bond issue went off without a hitch last week.
Roughly 30 people gathered in the Houlton High School auditorium Oct. 18 to hear details about the bond that is scheduled to appear on the municipal ballot Tuesday, Nov. 6.
A favorable vote on the $5 million bond would designate $2.5 million for ongoing renovations at Houlton High School and $2.5 million toward the construction of the Houlton Community Arts Center.
Superintendent Steve Fitzpatrick opened the public hearing.
“Over the past 10 years, we’ve engaged in a significant renovation process predicated by a facility in dire need,” Fitzpatrick explained. “Ten years ago, we decided to raise one mil from each member town to complete renovations.”
That money would continue to be raised, and, if the bond is passed, the $350,000 would go toward bond payments.
Half of the $5 million would be put to work immediately to complete updates to: emergency lighting systems, intercom systems and possibly the sprinkler system. Also on the to-do list is the HVAC system, hot water conversion, plumbing and electrical systems in the shop wing, special ed area, cafeteria and auditorium. Classroom modifications and hallway construction for the English and history area would be tackled, as well as, the construction of a northeast and southeast large gym egress.
The other half of the bond would be set aside for the Houlton Community Arts Center, a projected expansion and renovation of existing art space at the high school. Members of the Houlton Community Arts Center Council are working to raise $2.5 million in private funds to match $2.5 million from the bond.
“A public-private partnership will help make this dream a reality,” said Fred Grant, a member of the Houlton Community Arts Center fund-raising committee.
Grant said since fund-raising started this summer, $500,000 has been donated. They’re hoping to raise the remaining $2 million over the next year.
“Passage of the bond would set the momentum in place to close that gap,” he said.
The bond money would not be issued until the private funds have been committed.
When the forum was opened up for questions, only a few attendees spoke. One person wondered whether the lengthy bond question would cause some voters to skip over that part of their ballot. Committee members acknowledged the wordiness of the question, but said that was part of their legal requirements. Another audience member said he’d heard some questions from others about the cost of maintaining 13,000 square foot arts center addition.
“It is a significant investment and it is going to cost something to light and heat it,” said Fitzpatrick. “But we are doing what we can to make this building as energy efficient as possible.”
The hearing closed with tours of the facility and arts area.
