Belleville Voters Approve $48.5M School Renovations

BELLEVILLE, NJ — About $48.5 million in renovation projects are set to launch in Belleville’s public school system after voters gave an OK to fund the construction with a multi-million bond referendum last week.

As part of the Nov. 7 general election, Belleville residents were asked to vote on a public question to issue the $48.5 million worth of bonds, which will pay for district-wide school renovations, upgrades and improvements. The state has agreed to provide debt service aid of 49.75% of the final eligible costs.

The public question to approve the bonds passed by a vote of 1,836 to 1,152, according to the Township Clerk’s Office.

• See related article: Belleville Election Results 2017 (BOE, Public Question)

According to the public question on the Nov. 7 ballot, planned improvements include:

• Window, door and roof replacement
• Facilities system upgrades including electrical, lighting and HVAC improvements
• Interior renovations
• Multi-purpose room/auditorium renovations
• Upgraded fire alarm systems
• ADA compliance including elevator installations
• Flooring upgrades
• Clock/communications systems replacement

District administrators have stated that a home assessed at the average of $238,100 will see an annual increase of $156 per homeowner if the district picks a 20-year-bond, and $139 if the district borrows over of 25 years, NorthJersey.com reported. (Read the full article here)

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Photo: Google Maps, Belleville High School

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