Farmington holds referendum on high school project

FARMINGTON, CT (WFSB) – Farmington High School students will soon see brand new buildings, tennis courts, classrooms, more parking, and administrators will get new offices.

Construction hasn’t started yet, but Farmington’s new high school is over budget.

“I’ve been here over 25 years. My kids went to school here. They got great educations, great teachers, coaches. I want to keep my property value up and we are probably not going to do this again for a long time lets just do it,” said Gina Troup, Farmington resident.

Taxpayers were asked to spend an additional $9.7 million this Thursday.

Farmington needs a new high school. Parts of the original building go back to the 1920s.

A significant factor of the higher price tag is inflation.

They’ve already started the project, and in two years Farmington should have a new high school.

The original price tag was $135.6 million, but an additional $9.7 million is needed.

The assistant town manager said: “Supply chain issues, cost of materials, and the inflated costs of construction” are reasons. The “9.7 million includes increase in costs plus alternates….things taken out such as tennis courts.”

Tonight, the majority of voters were okay with the price hike.

“I think Farmington needs a new high school. Both my children graduated but I think for a good town and a good population the high school is well overdue for major change,” said Richard Scealzo.

There is some good news. The state will reimburse the town over $40,000,000.

The projected cost to average taxpayer over 5 years would have been $466. Now it’s $491.

“I’ll probably start looking to leave town honestly. I’ve been a homeowner for 20 years but to think what our taxes are going to look like in the future. We are being squeezed out,” said Dawn Debaeck.

“These are tough times, maybe they can sit and think about what they can trim,” said Suzanne Colton of Farmington.

But now the town won’t have to cut back and they will stick with the original blueprints.

“Now we received all the bids Which is why we knew we had to get the actual dollars. Once we approved the bids we can actually start infrastructure and putting up steel and concrete. So we will see something coming in there,” said CJ Thomas, Town Council Chairman.

Thomas says that construction will not interfere with classes and it all should take about 2 years.

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