Clarence Zachery, chief operating officer for Stratford Schools, talks about a recommended proposal to renovate Stratford High School.
The committee handling the possible renovation of Stratford High School received the blessing it needs to seek a higher grant total for a renovation project.
The Town Council voted Monday to accept the recommendation of the council’s building needs committee to go with a renovate-as-new option for the high school renovation plan. The resolution will also allow the committee to apply for a change in the school construction grant amount through a special legislation request.
The option, which was recommended last month by the Board of Education, is for a project to renovate the two buildings. The project, estimated to cost about $102.3 million, would increase average classroom size to 850 feet, add two new chemistry labs, and make the school better prepared for the 21st Century, according to presenters from the district, Antinozzi Associates and CREC Construction Services. The new school will not call for the closure of King Street.
The town will have to increase the bonding for the project by about $5.9 million. The project already has $56.1 million in bonding that was approved in May 2011. While the full price is more than $102 million, Stratford will be responsible for only $62 million.
Stratford Schools Chief Operating Officer Clarence Zachery said the chosen renovation option is not final and can be adjusted before a final plan is approved. The option chosen does not call for the concept Shakespeare-style theater, which some Board of Ed members felt was good to consider for performing arts programs at Stratford High.
Walter Rimkunas, right, speaks to the Stratford Town Council during Monday’s public forum.
During Monday’s Town Council public forum, several residents said the council should consider holding a referendum vote on the possible sale of the Stratford Water Pollution Control Authority. Mayor John Harkins is pushing for the WPCA to join the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority.
“You should not have the ability to vote on that. It should go for a public referendum,” said Walter Rimkunas, a regular speaker. Rimkunas’s comments were greeted by loud applause from those in the audience.
Prior to Rimkunas’s remarks, Town Council Chairman Joe Kubic confronted Rimkunas about his statements during previous public forums, saying Rimkunas had been “mean” and “rude” to council members. Several audience members booed Kubic and said the chairman was denying Rimkunas a right to speak freely.