In just under two weeks -- on Saturday, October 5 -- Newtown residents have the chance to decide the fate of the Sandy Hook Elementary School building. Will demolition begin on the old building, with a new $40 million-plus school to be erected in its place? Or will town officials be sent back to the drawing board?
First Selectman Pat Llodra and Interim Superintendent John Reed are making themselves available to the public throughout this week to answer residents' questions and hear opinions before the vote on whether to accept $49.25 million in state funds, to cover, according to the language of the ballot:
"Architectural and engineering services for the design of a new elementary school in Sandy Hook, demolition of existing school and for the construction of said school and the acquisition of two parcels of land for the purpose of relocating the entrance of said school."
Three informational meetings have been scheduled:
- Newtown Municipal Center Council Chambers, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 24
- Newtown Senior Center, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 30
- Municipal Center Conference Room, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 3.
"We would have no project at that point," she told Patch in July.
At that time, a group of about 100 residents in an open town meeting accepted $750,000 in starter funds for the project. But some have worried that the privacy of the voting booth may turn residents more tax-minded. In an open letter posted on Patch, one reader raised several points in opposition to the vote, including "the massive expense of taxpayer dollars" and declining enrollment.
In addition, Llodra will hold extended office hours:
- Monday, 9/23 (5pm-7pm)
- Saturday, 9/28 (1pm-3pm)
- Sunday, 9/29 (2pm-4pm)
- Monday, 9/30 (4pm-5:30pm)
- Tuesday, 9/24 (5pm-6:30pm)
- Monday, 9/30 (7:30pm-9pm)
- Tuesday, 10/1 (5pm-7pm)
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