NOON – 8 P.M. TOWN HALL
School Projects
Infrastructure and Systems
• Completes the replacement of the high and middle school roofs and selected HVAC units
• Renovates an existing high school staircase to address safety issues caused by student congestion
Science Career and Technology Education
• Expands and modernizes the facility to accommodate expanding programs for Robotics, Family and Consumer Science and Career Technologies
Kitchen facilities
• Provides a fully functional high school cafeteria
Performing Arts
• Provides storage space for drama and music programs
• Creates a dedicated music practice space
Library Media Center
• Redesigns the high school media center to provide technology access, collaborative learning spaces and dedicated teaching / tutorial spaces.
Athletic Facilities
• Provides access to water and bathroom facilities
• Installs second sets of lights to the athletic fields
For more information, visit the Granby Public School website: www.granby.k12.ct.us/
Solar Project
The Solar Project is the installation of a 1.6 MW system generating 2.9 kwh on approximately six acres of land behind Wells Road Intermediate School. Electricity generated from the solar array will be virtually net metered and will credit the electricity bills for all four schools. The solar array generates renewable energy credits that are contracted to be sold to Eversource for 15 years. Revenue from the sale of renewable energy credits goes to the town to help defray the cost of the solar array installation.
The Solar Project is:
• A green energy project that aligns to Granby’s conservation plan;
• Eligible for school construction state grants;
• A curriculum and instructional resource for students and teachers; and,
• Projected to provide a net savings of $5.52 M to the Town of Granby (over 25 years).
FAQs
What will the capital program cost?
The estimated costs are intentionally conservative and all inclusive. The referendum questions would authorize up to $25 million in total potential gross expenditures. No more than this aggregate total could be spent. Lower design and construction bids as well as lower interest rates could reduce the total gross borrowing, the net project costs and the actual projected debt service costs in future annual budgets.
What will this cost me as a taxpayer?
This capital program is projected to have a net impact of 1.6 percent on the local property tax bill in FY25. This represents the highest year of projected new debt service as well as the related and offsetting benefits from the solar array. This positive benefit consists of both a 15-year revenue stream to the town from Eversource and a major reduction in the school system’s annual electricity bill over the 25 to 35-year life of the solar panels.
What is the impact of not approving the three capital appropriation questions?
Much of what is within the scope of the projects still needs to be done over the next few years, but the mill rate implications will not necessarily be any less by increasing future annual operating budgets to get the most critical items done. The net cost of any one of the bridges is roughly 1-2 percent in taxes – we have five of them to do – and in each case the voters must still authorize the full gross dollar amount for each.
At the Middle and High School complex, given their ages and recent repairs, we can reasonably expect the need in the near term to tackle the roofs as well as the HVAC units that sit on them.
With respect to the solar, given the conservatism built into the projections, some of the most critical assumptions are time-sensitive with respect to Eversource and Connecticut state government. With the current agreements in place, over time this project should benefit Granby by two dollars for every dollar spent. Without it, we will pay more rather than less.
What would be the impact of a shorter bonding period?
Shortening the term by half, from 20- to 10-year notes, would increase the projected debt service schedule costs by about $550,000 annually in the initial years, bumping the year of initial maximum net impact from 1.6 percent in property tax up to 2.8 percent. It would also produce a lower interest rate as well as reducing the total overall debt service cost of the bonds over their term.
Absentee ballots
Absentee ballots are available from the Town Clerk:
- May 28, after the Town Meeting
- Wednesday May 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Thursday May 30, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday May 31, 8 a.m. to noon
- Monday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Tuesday June 4 from 8 a.m. to noon