Millbrook schedules two public forums on school capital projects referendum

MILLBROOK — Having received conceptual planning describing a major capital project to include needed maintenance and upgrades, the Board of Education at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 8, agreed to hold two public forums in advance of a mid-November referendum.

Postcards summarizing the project are being sent to all households to announce the forums planned for Wednesday, Oct. 30 and Wednesday, Nov. 13 at the Middle School Auditorium, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The referendum to vote on the capital project is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 19, from noon until 9 p.m.

To view details of the plans for the capital project prepared by BBS Architects, go to the Millbrook Central School District website at: www.millbrookcsd.org.

As presented by BBS, the capital project is divided into three major partitions. The first would see improvements to HVAC systems in all schools within the Central School District, supported by three bonding propositions.

The second would address building condition issues (maintenance and repairs) needed at Elm Drive and the Middle School, as well as Alden Place, supported by two bonding resolutions.

And the third would promote energy performance in all the schools, supported by three bonding propositions.
The total cost for all three partitions as now proposed would be $59,867,973, although some of the impact would be offset by available state funds and energy savings over time.

BBS engineers noted that state law requires that a school Building Condition Survey be completed every five years.
Existing HVAC systems are aging out, according to BBS, particularly at the Elm Drive School, where a “dedicated outdoor air system” is being proposed.