What Have They Missed In the Schools Bonds

Petty much $75.5 million. But we can afford the costs, as reiterated by Rep. Jones, Selectman O'Leary, Delaney, Maurceri, School Committee members Webster and Venezia. The Finance Committee also recommended.

So what's the problem? 

How to pay for it.

To build a new High School at a cost of $125M is unsustainable. Too few properties for too much dept. Numbers don't lie. Bonding $75.5M over 25 years leaves nothing for future growth. We will be in override overdrive to maintain our infrastucture. In addition, all contracts with employees will be minimum increases, if any. You have already seen the Selectman remove retired employees from insurance coverage as a cost saving measure. They obviously have no obligation to retired employees (or in the future ,due to this dept) any employee.

But there is much, much more. The full costs for this project has never...ever been fully disclosed. Its always a surprise. From the waste treatment plant's actual purpose to the tree removal at School Hill Lane. Adding trees cost more...was that part of the mishappen plan? Is adding sewage to the Waste Treament plant from "other souces" a legitimate 25 year School Bond cost. I don't think so. But on these very issues they are surprisingly quiet.

Now they propose land takings (was that part of the original plan?). They were on last Town Meeting's Warrant..but passed over...why? Now its back. Slight of hand? Not being upfront and honest? Shell game?

North Reading has never been in such a fiscal dilema (ask Bob Maurceri). Going forward we will have less and be able to afford less. All because we have visionaries that purport to know better. I get the sense that they feel they can fix it later. It won't happen. They've pretty much bought the farm. There's no turning back. 

We're boke!

Its a very sad time for North Reading.