Second FHS Building Project Vote Approved At Polls

FARMINGTON, CT — Local voters Thursday easily approved a $9.7 million appropriation for the new Farmington High School project, the second time in as many years the town went to the polls.

In June 2021, voters said "yes" to spending $135.6 million for a new, state-of-the-art Farmington High School building at Monteith Drive.

On Thursday, they said yes to more money with 1,787 "yes" votes and 815 "no" votes.

Local officials claimed it was necessary to bring the project up to original standards and secure additional state reimbursements.

According to the town, however, construction projections alone were nearly $6 million over budget, something attributed to the supply chain inflationary issues impacting many construction projects.

At the Nov. 28 town meeting prior to the referendum, Meg Guerrera, chairperson of the Farmington High School Building Committee, said inflation pushed the project $5.9 million over budget.

Meanwhile, she said the committee opted to add in some other features, including tennis courts, for an additional $3.75 million.

The Farmington Town Council approved the $9.7 million total figure Oct. 25.

At the Nov. 28 town meeting, attendees offered mixed opinions on the proposal.

While some said it was a necessary proposal in light of the current economic situation, others decried town officials and the building committee, saying they underestimated the project budget.

Despite the increased costs, however, the total cost funded by taxpayers is, according to officials, actually less than a year ago due to an increase in the state's share of the project.

At the town meeting Nov. 28, Farmington Assistant Town Manager Kathryn Krajewski said taxpayers would, actually, save $4.6 million in what it would owe for the project.

Krajewski said the anticipated tax impact for the project would now amount to $491 over five years compared to $466 over five years with the second referendum.

That, she said, equated to an added average $25 over five years or $5 a year, a function of anticipated increased interest rates.

For the full announcement on the referendum results, click on this link.

From Dec. 7: 'Farmington Voters Have Work To Do Thursday With High School Project'