CAPE ELIZABETH — The Town Council may decide next month whether to issue a proposed $1.75 million bond that would fund a host of school capital improvements.

Councilors last week scheduled a Dec. 8 public hearing at which they may authorize five projects and the bond to complete them. 

“I think it’s important to recognize the fact that this is five projects that came forward from the School Board,” Councilor James Walsh said at a Nov. 6 meeting. “Five separate projects, all under $1 million, which, based on our charter, is why I bring that to everyone’s attention.”

As part of its 10-year capital improvement plan, the School Board last November asked the council for bonding to fund the projects, which focus mostly on exterior maintenance and repair of school buildings.

The funding requests include three for roof repairs: $800,000 at the high school, $175,000 at the middle school, and $175,000 for roof work at Pond Cove Elementary School.

In addition, the high school’s electrical system would be upgraded at a cost of $275,000. Another project, repair of heating and ventilation equipment at the middle school, requires $325,000.

If any of the projects come in under budget, the board will be allowed to use the surplus for other improvements, as long as none of them exceeds $1 million in cost.

Under the Town Charter, expenditures under that amount don’t require a referendum.

Council Chairwoman Jessica Sullivan said details of each project will be presented at the public hearing.

Kate Gardner can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 125 or kgardner@theforecaster.net. Follow her on Twitter: @katevgardner.


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