Oxford Board of Selectmen Express Concerns Over Middle School Construction Costs

By Jack Kramer, Correspondent

OXFORD, CT – Although voting to move the project forward, the Board of Selectmen expressed reservations about the $48.6 million cost of the proposed middle school project at its most recent meeting.

The 80,000-square-foot school would be build on Great Oak Road. The selectmen voted unanimously to appropriate the funding for the school, forwarding its recommendation to the Board of Finance.

As proposed the town’s taxpayers would be liable for $35.6 million of the cost of the school, with the remainder being funded through state reimbursement.

First Selectman George Temple said he wanted to be clear the selectmen voted approval “only to move it forward,” but that he has a problem with the $48.6 million project cost.

He said he cannot see paying that amount of the school when there is not new land purchase involved.

Overall, all the selectmen stated they were concerned about the project cost.

Selectman Kathy Johnson, who is running as a petitioning candidate for first selectman this November against Temple and Democrat Scott Flaherty, stated “citizens of Oxford want their taxes lowered.”

Town residents are scheduled to vote, at referendum, on the middle school proposal this November.