Dear Editor:

At the Jan. 22 Boothbay Region CSD Trustee’s meeting, there was a discussion regarding updated estimates for the April 24 $29,975,000 elementary school bond referendum. Trustee Darrell Gudroe, who owns a technology company, questioned the estimated costs of the new video system. The CSD had a quote of $114,000 and Lavallee Bresinger Architects estimate was a whopping $185,000. Mr Gudroe, a technology professional, felt the $114,000 was too high, let alone the $185,000.  

The locker room, another line item, had been cut but one trustee felt the $1,000,000 estimate was way too high.  It was removed from the project - but with the advice that if some line items came in below budget - others might be added back because the referendum language, and the lack of budget transparency, allows this maneuver. 

Lance Whitehead, from Lavallee Bresinger Architects, explained that you always over-estimate before you engineer or design a project. In the case of the $185k video system that number was simply borrowed from the Maine Department of Education. 

The Boothbay Region Elementary School project has no factual budget. The administration has spent over $2,000,000 on architects, engineers and consultants with little to show for those expenditures. One thing is for certain, if you pass this $29,975,000 referendum, our school boards will spend that money. Whether or not it’s a fair quote or a reasonable cost.  

Vote No on April 24 – early voting is available now at both town halls. 

Patty Minerich 

Boothbay Harbor