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Big Numbers

I disagree with Selectman Scott Murphy’s statement that the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance should first look at the details of the school spending plan to do all the Board of Education desires, before the financial numbers are considered [Oct. 17 story “Town Narrows In on Financial Impact of Academy, 4-School Model”]. That seems backwards to me. And haven’t the details already been discussed for the Capital Improvement Program budget? A new elementary school for $58 million with a dropping school population doesn’t make a lot of sense either. Just take back Island Avenue and bring it up to a first class facility. And $150 million in maintenance after that for other school facilities? These are big numbers.

Voters should consider the numbers Finance Director Stacy Nobitz has calculated: An increase in Property taxes of $560 annually over the next 27 years for a house assessed at $400,000 for school facility improvement and a new elementary school to pay for the debt service, plus $90 a year for a new community center over 20 years. Total: $650 year. Maybe many seniors and middle class families will say goodbye. Does the town want that? Does the school system want that?

Bob Roxbrough

Madison