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Minnechaug project will soon go before voters

Date: 9/14/2009

By Natasha Clark

Assistant Managing Editor



WILBRAHAM The Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District hosted a regular meeting at the Superintendent of Schools' conference room last week. The committee gathered to go over a full agenda that included grants and the new Minnechaug Regional High School project.

The school district is the recipient of a $75,000 Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust Grant.

"The grant allows us to work with architects of the new Minnechaug to incorporate some green school design," explained Superintendent M. Martin O'Shea. "Ultimately the hope would be that we get certified as a high performing school (Mass CHPS certified)."

The district would use the funds to make sure that the new school has green processes such as recyclable rainwater or efficient use of natural lightening.

"It ties in so appropriately with our green technology and our commitment to do everything we can to reduce the cost of energy by using as much natural resources as we can," School Committee Chair Peter T. Salerno said. "This is very important for all of us."

The district also received to other technology donations one from the Hampden-Wilbraham Chamber of Commerce and the other from Babson Capital. The chamber annually runs a golf tournament to support the high school's entrepreneurship program. With the $6,200 donation, the entrepreneurship program purchased additional student computers and Microsoft Office licenses, in addition to a couple thousand-dollar scholarships.

Babson's contribution aided in installing 30 computers at Memorial School.

Estimate information on the annual tax impact of the Minnechaug project was also discussed.

"The estimates that we currently have show that on a $300,000 [home in Wilbraham], the average annual tax bill will increase by $304 as a result of borrowing associated with the project in fiscal year 2014. In Hampden, a $300,000 home's average annual tax increase would be $321," O'Shea said.

These estimates assume 30-year bonds at 5.25 percent interest rate.

O'Shea said these figures are conservative estimates.

Up until last year, Salerno said regional school districts could only get bonds up to a maximum of 20 years. This year the law changed and allowed regional school districts to go to 25 years like any other school district.

"That is a great victory," Salerno said. "Now we can get 30 years by going through a state bonding program. A 30-year program spreads the bond out over a longer period. It's an extraordinary accomplishment for a municipal organization . the key point is that we are getting a [state] grant at $47.4 million on an $80 million project," Salerno said. "Our two towns are spending approximately 35 million and get a brand new high school that will last another 50 years. It's the best and most affordable arrangement we could make."

He noted that bonds in the schools typically have a 4 to 4.5 interest rate. If that is factored in, then it will drop estimate numbers even lower.

"We've done the very best job we could to give the best option to the people in our towns," Salerno added. "It is now their turn to tell us what they want."

On Oct. 5 Hampden and Wilbraham will host town meetings to determine if voters support the School Committee's decision to incur the debt for the project. If it passes, then it goes to a debt exclusion referendum on Oct. 20.

In other School Committee news:

Sandra Belcastro and Judy Curran, both of Wilbraham, replaced two members of the New Building Committee who left for various reasons.

Salerno and O'Shea, announced that two public forums have been scheduled to discuss the new Minnechaug project.

Citizens of Hampden and Wilbraham are invited to attend either or both events. The first meeting will be on Sept. 23, in the auditorium of Minnechaug Regional High School, starting at 7 p.m.

The second forum will be conducted on Sept. 30, in the cafeteria of Thornton W. Burgess Middle School, also starting at 7 p.m.

These informational meetings will provide opportunities for the public to learn more about the cost of the building project, future tax impact, expected project schedule, building floor plan, proposed site plan and benefits of the model school program.

The format for the events will be a panel discussion with representatives from the School Committee, District Administration, Building Committee, Mount Vernon Group Architects, and Arcadis/PM-CM Division. Katherine Craven, Executive Director of the Massachusetts School Building Authority, has also been invited to participate.