Calais voters accept funding State increases money for renovation work on two schools

CALAIS – Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved the acceptance of an additional $558,783 in state funds to renovate the city’s high school and elementary schools.

The vote was 144-12.

Of the city’s 2,300 voters, only 156 cast ballots.

In May 2002, voters approved an $8.8 million spending package to renovate the two schools. Delays in the project developed because the proposed bids were $900,000 more than the school architects’ estimate.

Supporters of the project said the bids came in higher than expected because of the city’s geographical disadvantage.

Proposed cuts to the project led to criticism from area residents, who expressed concern that the schools would be shortchanged.

Last month, the state approved an additional $588,783, and it was up to the voters to accept the additional state funds. Now that voters have approved the referendum, it will be a $9.3 million renovation project.

Plans call for renovating the high school and elementary school to include space for middle school pupils.

Those pupils have been in portable classrooms at the former Calais Middle School since school officials voted to close the facility for health and safety reasons.

Supporters of the proposal have said the loan repayment is set and will remain the same with the $558,783 increase.

The low bidders for the construction were Buildings Etcetera of Houlton for the elementary school and Blane Casey Building Contractors Inc. of South China for the high school.