Patch Monroe, CT --After casting their votes for the town budget at a referendum on Tuesday, voters may attend a Town Meeting to vote on $3.8 million the following week for the Honeywell projects to make school buildings more energy efficient. The bonding vote will be at Monroe Town Hall on Tuesday, April 9, at 7 p.m.
Last week, the Town Council and Board of Finance both unanimously supported sending a request for $3.8 million for "equipment to achieve energy savings at the Monroe Public Schools and the authorization of an equipment lease/purchase agreement to finance such appropriation" to a Town Meeting.
The borrowing would be over 10 years and Honeywell has told officials the costs of the project can be paid for through the savings on utility bills.
All town schools will be included with the exception of Monroe Elementary School.
Town buildings and Monroe Elementary School were originally included in the contract proposal, but Manjos said town officials wanted to reduce the cost of phase one.
A number of people were upset that Monroe Elementary was the only school taken out, but Board of Finance Vice Chairman Michael Manjos, who participated in contract negotiations, had said it was strictly a financial decision.
Work on the building would cost about $720,000 and only produce $22,000 in savings because Manjos said Monroe Elementary already has gas heat, which is driving the most dramatic energy savings.
Supt. of Schools James Agostine has said he can always come back for the Monroe Elementary School projects.
One thing Manjos said the town was able to negotiate for was a $150,000 donation from Honeywell to buy new exterior and interior locks at all of the town's schools — including Monroe Elementary. Since the tragic shooting in Sandy Hook, there has been strong public demand to improve security at the town's schools. Reported by Patch 6 days ago.