Middletown School Infrastructure Referendum Presents $30.4 Million Bond Authorization On November Ballot

MIDDLETOWN, CT — Middletown voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to authorize $30.426 million in bonding for districtwide infrastructure improvements at public schools, including roof replacements, air conditioning, heating and ventilation controls, and safety and security upgrades.

Mayor Gene Nocera is providing residents with information about the referendum, which was approved by the Common Council on Aug. 20 for inclusion on the November ballot.

The proposed project would address aging school infrastructure and building systems throughout the Middletown Public Schools district. The city estimates that about 67% of the total project cost would be covered by state grants.

Nocera, a lifel-ong Middletown resident and former educator and Board of Education chairman, said the referendum gives residents an opportunity to consider a defined set of school infrastructure improvements and how they would be funded.

The proposed work includes roof replacements at six schools and buildings; air conditioning and rooftop unit projects at six schools; building management system and heating, ventilation and air conditioning control upgrades at seven schools; oil tank and boiler work at two schools; and safety and security improvements throughout the district.

The total estimated project cost is $30.426 million. According to the mayor's information, the cost to Middletown taxpayers is estimated at $9,997,983 over the next two to five years, although the final financial impact would depend on project costs, grants and financing.

The city would finance its share through municipal bonds, allowing it to spread the cost of major capital improvements over time rather than pay the full amount upfront. The proposed improvements are expected to have a useful life of more than 20 years.

The official ballot question reads:

• “Shall the $30,426,000 appropriation and bond authorization for the Middletown Public Schools Districtwide Infrastructure Project be approved?”

The referendum will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot. Early voting is scheduled to run from Oct. 19 through Nov. 1, with same-day voter registration also available during the early voting period, according to the city's announcement.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day at residents' assigned polling locations.

Residents can review the full appropriation and bonding ordinance on the city's website, middletownct.gov, or at the Office of the City and Town Clerk at City Hall, 245 deKoven Drive, Room 110.

Additional information is available through the mayor's office at 860-638-4801.

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary broke it all down: