Killingly residents approve bonding proposals – Norwich Bulletin

By Mary Biekert mbiekert@norwichbulletin.com 860-425-4256

KILLINGLY - Residents passed all three bonding proposals for school and municipal and infrastructure projects.

The projects that the town voted on are divided into three categories: School roofs and windows; bridge and culvert replacements; and town hall and community center work.

Residents approved the $6.25 million for school roof and window replacement by a vote of 211 to 55; the $3.2 million for upgrades to the community center and Town Hall heating and cooling system by a vote of 181 to 85; and the $1.8 million for bridge and culvert replacement by a vote of 202 to 64.

Officials said bonding money would likely be paid back over a 20-year period.

Diane St. Jean voted yes to all of the proposed bonds.

I voted yes for the education aspect. The schools really need the work done and I have one boy in each of the schools, St. Jean said.

Jeffrey Buchbinder also voted yes to all three.

We really need the bonds to keep up the school facilities. It is getting to the point where it could affect student safety, Buchbinder said.

The school work will require $6.5 million for a series of capital projects at Killingly Memorial, Killingly Central and Goodyear Early Education schools. Plans call for replacing roofs at the two elementary schools and a partial roof replacement at Goodyear, Finance Director Mary Calorio said.

The town also plans to bond $3.2 million for several projects at the community center, including exterior brick re-painting, bathroom and locker room renovations and window work. A portion of that money about $1 million - would be set aside to replace the nearly 100-year-old pipes running through Town Hall, Town Engineer Dave Capacchione said.

Calorio said she anticipates getting a 70 percent reimbursement from the state for the school roof work and another 50 percent reimbursement for the storage tank removal. The state will also cover 50 percent of the bridge work.

Unfortunately, things like this fall upon a generation every so often. We have town-owned property that is in dire need of repair. It is something that we have to do, Town Council member Dennis Alemian said.

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Killingly residents approve bonding proposals - Norwich Bulletin