News in brief AUGUSTA: LEGISLATION TO INCREASE BREWER TRUSTEES’ DEBT LIMIT

Gov. John Baldacci on Monday signed new legislation, LD 1988, to allow Brewer High School district trustees to increase the debt limit so the community can build a new school. Rep. Charles “Dusty” Fisher, D-Brewer, submitted the bill on the school department’s behalf and was at the ceremonial signing with Superintendent Daniel Lee at the State House. “This is a great day for Brewer,” Baldacci stated Monday in a press release. “This is great legislation.” The trustees have the sole authority to erect, equip, and manage new school buildings in Brewer and needed the special legislation to increase the board’s $5 million debt limit in order to move forward with building a planned multi-million dollar school. LD 1988 basically links the trustees’ indebtedness limits to 7.5 percent of the most recent state valuation of the city and clarifies authorities of the city and school department in regards to new construction. Brewer is on the State Board of Education’s priority list for new construction and is expecting funds in 2009. Under the new law, residents would need to approve the local portion of the new school project through a referendum by the end of 2008.