News, Waterford

Fieldhouse referendum could return in February

By Dave Fidlin

CORRESPONDENT

Voters throughout much of the Waterford area could experience déjà vu when they return to the voting booth in February.

At a board meeting July 25, Keith Brandstetter, superintendent of the Waterford Union High School district, offered up preliminary details of a revised referendum package that could go toward revamping the field house and other athletic amenities.

In this latest go-around, WUHS officials are considering a project that is identical to the proposal presented to voters throughout the school’s boundaries nearly four months ago. It includes a 6-lane track with a number of related amenities and a 6,884-square-foot fitness center.

Brandstetter said the anticipated cost of the project has inched upward from the figures in April. When residents voted on the referendum proposal this spring, the work was expected to cost $12.21 million; revised numbers now suggest the work would cost $12.56 million.

Despite the higher cost of the work, Brandstetter said he believes voters should have another crack at the question. He blamed a lack of communication on the district’s part in sharing factual information about the project and how it would not only benefit WUHS but the entire community.

As he revisited the topic, Brandstetter continued to emphasize WUHS’ existing debt is set to retire in three years. Taxes – at least the portion district residents pay toward the high school on their bills each December – would not go up if the referendum passes, Brandstetter said.

At this week’s School Board meeting, representatives from Abacus Architects were on hand to briefly comb through some of the details of the field house project. A half-dozen residents in the audience questioned why the district would have an architect involved without approval to move forward from the community.

“They’re doing this gratis for us right now,” Brandstetter said, pointing out the company is only paid if the project is approved. He further stated the company’s renderings at this point are big-picture in nature and would have more granular details if voters favor the project.

The School Board did not take any action on the latest referendum proposal at this week’s meeting. An official resolution would have to be adopted to bring the question back to voters.

Brandstetter presented a possible timeline leading up to next year’s Feb. 22 primary election. As a kick-off to outreach efforts, Brandstetter said he plans to display details of the field house to voters in August and September.

The board could vote on the official referendum in September. Throughout the fall, high school officials plan to create materials that would be sent to the public and disseminate some of the details about the project and WUHS’ overall financial status.

In December, a mailing would be sent to all households within WUHS’ boundaries. The district did not send literature in advance of the April referendum question.

In January and February, Brandstetter said he anticipates holding public information meetings on the referendum.

In April’s election, a total of 6,376 votes were tallied for the WUHS referendum question, according to results from the villages of Rochester and Waterford and the towns of Norway and Waterford.

Data reveals 3,590 voters answered “no” to the question, while the balance of 2,786 residents cast a “yes” vote.

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