Simsbury Voters To Decide $6M Plus In Added Spending Saturday

SIMSBURY, CT — Voters have some weekend homework to do, with a referendum planned Saturday to decide extra funds for a school renovation, as wells as funding for three infrastructure projects.

The good news for taxpayers, however, is much of the funding is within already-approved revenue streams, with the referendum requirement only necessary given the size of the appropriations.

Town officials say both questions to be decided Saturday, Jan. 7, will not impact taxes at all.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday at Simsbury Town Hall, 933 Hopmeadow St., Simsbury.

Latimer Lane Elementary School Funding

While voters said "yes" to a $36.7 million appropriation for a building expansion project at Latimer Lane Elementary School in 2021, the supply chain/inflation bugaboo has bit the town.

As a result, local officials say in order to build the project approved more than a year ago, the town needs to spend another $2.26 million.

While the dollar figure initially stood at $1.8 million, the higher figure, ultimately, is being sent to voters to try and ensure any contingencies are covered in the project.

If approved, the secondary school project appropriation will come from the town's capital reserve fund, meaning no cash would be borrowed and taxpayers will not be impacted, especially since some of the project is being reimbursed by the state.

Apart from a roof replacement, Latimer Lane Elementary School hasn’t received any major upgrades since it was originally constructed in 1962, according to the town.

According to the town, the 68,500 square feet of additions and renovations will allow for programmatic changes and address Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility issues, building envelope and structural systems technology as well as new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

It will also feature upgraded food service, library/media center and nursing/health services.

Town officials said it will be constructed in conformance with Connecticut’s High Performance Building Standards.

The project was designed by Tecton Architects, of Hartford. O&G Industries of Torrington is the construction manager.

Though not linked to this referendum, the groundbreaking for the project — slated for last month — was twice postponed due to weather. It has yet to be rescheduled.

Infrastructure projects

Meanwhile, voters Saturday will also decide on some $3.96 million in funding as part of a three-project infrastructure package covering trails and sidewalks in town.

According to town officials, these project won't impact taxpayers, either, as they're tied to finalized revenue sources such as government grants.

But because of the size of the dollar amount, local leaders say this package must be approved by voters as well.

Project to be decided Saturday include:

• Bloomfield to Tariffville Multi-Use Trail: $1,254,200 from the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Grant Program.

• North End Sidewalk Construction: $913,072.12 from the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Grant Program.

• Firetown Road Sidewalk Construction: $1,200,000 from the Local Transportation Capital Improvement Grant Program.

• $594,000 for the Community Connectivity Grant Program.

For more information on the referendum proposals in Simsbury, click on this link.

From Dec. 12: 'Simsbury School Project Groundbreaking Postponed Again'