http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-12-20/Letter/Renovation_impact_deserves_careful_study.html
To the editor:
The ancient tale of the elephant and six blind men comes to mind when
I read recent letters to the editor regarding the RSU 21 proposal of
$74.8 million for renovations of the school systems of Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel.
In that tale, the blind men are asked to determine what an elephant
looks like. One blind man feels a leg and says the elephant is like a
pillar; the other men say: the tail, it’s like a rope; the trunk, a tree
branch; the ear, a hand fan; the belly, a wall; and finally, one who
feels the tusk says the elephant is like a solid pipe. They all compare
notes and learn that they are in complete disagreement.
The RSU 21 proposal is variously portrayed as: more than most in our
communities can afford, a long overdue renovation of a shockingly unsafe
high school with leaks everywhere, classrooms in a pre-tech condition
in rundown buildings with no sprinkler systems and inadequate bathrooms.
It is asserted that the nearly $75 million renovation would not be
complete without expanded athletic fields and a costly new visual and
performing arts center, all of which will reward business owners and
homeowners, increase property values and bring an influx of businesses.
The impact of the complex financing requires careful study. The
actual total amount to be paid with interest will be $113 million for a
25-year-bond period. Director Tim Hussey says he hopes that, “This
financing strategy ... does make this easier to swallow for a lot of
folks.” Director Diane Robbins disagrees, saying ultimately taxpayers
end up paying more, including the interest and, “That only benefits the
bank.” A Kennebunk selectman says, “It is probably the largest dollar amount ever voted on in this town.”
read more...
This blog is dedicated to posting news and information on key issues and opportunities which may have an effect on our way of life in Arundel, Maine
USA. The goal is to provide insight into key issues and opportunities while providing the community a knowledgebase for self directed education while creating a public forum for constructive comments and open sharing of ideas.
Please send ideas for topics to arundelmaine@roadrunner.com.
Friday, December 27, 2013
RSU 21 Building Project Impact Calculator
RSU 21 Building Project Impact Calculator
http://www.rsu21.net/news/2013/11/14/please-vote-on-the-school-construction-referendum
On September 16, 2013, the RSU 21 Board heard proposals recommending significant upgrades to Kennebunk High School, Mildred L. Day School, and Kennebunkport Consolidated School. The estimated costs of these projects are:Mildred L. Day School: $11.32M.
Kennebunkport Consolidated School: $9.96M
Kennebunk High School: $53.55M.
By entering data from your 2013 tax bill into the chart, below, you may determine the approximate total impact of these projects on your tax bill during each year of repayment of this 25 year bond. This tax burden will decrease each year of the bond.
click here to see the effect on your taxes:
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Polls open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Absentee balloting will be available by contacting your town clerk’s office:
Arundel: 207-985-4201
Kennebunk: 207-985-2102, x-1326
Kennebunkport: 207-967-4243, x-110
Absentee balloting will be available by contacting your town clerk’s office:
Arundel: 207-985-4201
Kennebunk: 207-985-2102, x-1326
Kennebunkport: 207-967-4243, x-110
Monday, December 23, 2013
Tuesday, January 21, 2014 residents will be asked to vote on the $74.8 million construction renovation projects proposed by RSU # 21
Absentee
ballots for the January 21, 2014 RSU # 21 Construction Bond Referendum
Election will be available from December 20, 2013 until January 15,
2014. Please click on the link below to print an absentee
ballot application in the event that you should need a ballot mailed to
you.
Please note that on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 residents will be asked to vote on the $74.8 million construction renovation projects proposed by RSU # 21. Polls will be open from 8 AM until 8 PM on this day at the Arundel Fire Station. Each and every vote matters. Please be involved. For more information visit www.rsu21.net .
Please note that on Tuesday, January 21, 2014 residents will be asked to vote on the $74.8 million construction renovation projects proposed by RSU # 21. Polls will be open from 8 AM until 8 PM on this day at the Arundel Fire Station. Each and every vote matters. Please be involved. For more information visit www.rsu21.net .
Thursday, December 19, 2013
School improvements are much needed
http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-12-13/Letters/School_improvements_are_much_needed.html
To the editor:
As a former student of Kennebunk High School and a community activist in our towns, I support this renovation project in its entirety. Frankly, I do not see why we, as a community, do not support it wholeheartedly. I know there will be financial hardship incurred from increased property taxes; however, no investment has a better yield than this project. We, as a community, will invest our tax dollars in new facilities for our students and in return our students will succeed.
read more...
To the editor:
As a former student of Kennebunk High School and a community activist in our towns, I support this renovation project in its entirety. Frankly, I do not see why we, as a community, do not support it wholeheartedly. I know there will be financial hardship incurred from increased property taxes; however, no investment has a better yield than this project. We, as a community, will invest our tax dollars in new facilities for our students and in return our students will succeed.
read more...
Are residents ready for renovation vote?
http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-12-13/Letters/Are_residents_ready_for_renovation_vote.html
To the editor:
Are you folks in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel ready for that school renovation election on Jan. 21? Anybody with a lick of sense knows the vote count will be diminished due to snowbirds away for the winter, the difficulty for the elderly, shut-ins and the general public to get out due to frigid temperatures and icy roads and sidewalks.
read more...
To the editor:
Are you folks in Kennebunk, Kennebunkport and Arundel ready for that school renovation election on Jan. 21? Anybody with a lick of sense knows the vote count will be diminished due to snowbirds away for the winter, the difficulty for the elderly, shut-ins and the general public to get out due to frigid temperatures and icy roads and sidewalks.
read more...
School vote puts citizens in peril
http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-12-13/Letters/School_vote_puts_citizens_in_peril.html
To the editor:
The citizens comprising RSU 21 have heard and read a great deal about the RSU 21 schools in peril and about the $75 million bond vote on Jan. 21 to save these schools.
What hasn’t been discussed publicly is the peril in which many voters find themselves financially. Senior citizens, for instance, live on fixed incomes and already budget every penny toward monthly mandatory expenses. Where will they get the additional tax money if the Jan. 21 vote passes? There no longer is a circuit breaker program, and, yes, many seniors depend upon that program.
In this economy, a number of citizens within the RSU 21 community are unemployed or underemployed.
read more...
To the editor:
The citizens comprising RSU 21 have heard and read a great deal about the RSU 21 schools in peril and about the $75 million bond vote on Jan. 21 to save these schools.
What hasn’t been discussed publicly is the peril in which many voters find themselves financially. Senior citizens, for instance, live on fixed incomes and already budget every penny toward monthly mandatory expenses. Where will they get the additional tax money if the Jan. 21 vote passes? There no longer is a circuit breaker program, and, yes, many seniors depend upon that program.
In this economy, a number of citizens within the RSU 21 community are unemployed or underemployed.
read more...
School renovation plan deserves support
http://post.mainelymediallc.com/news/2013-12-13/Letters/School_renovation_plan_deserves_support.html
To the editor:
Regional School Unit 21 has proposed an aggressive renovation plan for Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Mildred L. Day School. The plan provides state-of-the-art facilities to all communities throughout the RSU and will provide a safe and appealing environment for learning.
read more...
To the editor:
Regional School Unit 21 has proposed an aggressive renovation plan for Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Mildred L. Day School. The plan provides state-of-the-art facilities to all communities throughout the RSU and will provide a safe and appealing environment for learning.
read more...
RSU costs out of line with others
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131219-OPINION-312190350
To the Editor:
The Bangor Daily News reported in March 2013, on the most expensive high schools in the state of Maine:
(1) Mt. Blue at a cost of $56,651,000, opened in 2013, capacity 925 students. Cost per student $61,200.
(2) Hampden at a cost of $49,200,000, opened in 2012, capacity 800 students. Cost per student $61,500.
These projects included the cost of land and its development
Setting the record straight
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131219-OPINION-312190352?cid=sitesearch
This communication contained inaccurate information on the costs associated with these projects. Specifically, the letter stated that the repayment of the bond would remain constant for 25 years and that increased operating costs of more than $400,000 per year were not included in the projected increase to taxes.
read more...
To the Editor:
I
am writing to help clear up a very unfortunate mistake made by the
Kennebunkport Selectmen in their recent letter to Kennebunkport
residents regarding the upcoming January 21st referendum on the RSU 21
school renovation proposal.
This communication contained inaccurate information on the costs associated with these projects. Specifically, the letter stated that the repayment of the bond would remain constant for 25 years and that increased operating costs of more than $400,000 per year were not included in the projected increase to taxes.
read more...
Second, corrected letter to be sent to Port voters
KENNEBUNKPORT — The Board of Selectmen will be mailing a second letter to residents regarding the upcoming January vote on the proposed RSU 21 renovation projects, correcting inaccuracies in a letter sent out earlier this month.
An original letter dated Dec. 9 — which was mailed to residents to let voters know of the Jan. 21 vote on the proposed $74.8 million renovation projects to Kennebunk High School, Mildred L. Day School and Kennebunkport Consolidated School — included inaccuracies regarding the bond repayment and operating costs if the renovation projects are approved.
"We're getting ready to write a new letter explaining in more detail, because it was absolutely wrong what we put in there. We didn't do that on purpose, we just made a mistake," said the board's Vice Chairman Allen Daggett, at the Dec. 13 meeting. "We're going to do everything we can to rectify the mistakes. We're going to really do our best to get this rectified and do it the right way."
Urges no vote on school bond
To the Editor:
The citizens comprising RSU 21 have heard and read a great deal about the RSU 21 schools in peril and about the $75 million bond vote on Jan. 21 to save these schools. What hasn`t been discussed publicly is the peril in which many voters find themselves financially. Senior citizens, for instance, live on fixed incomes and already budget every penny toward monthly mandatory expenses. Where will they get the additional tax money if the Jan. 21 vote passes? There no longer is a circuit breaker program, and, yes, many seniors depend upon that program. In this economy, a number of citizens within the RSU 21 community are unemployed or underemployed. Where will they find extra tax money, what will they have to give up?
RSU 21 to discuss $75M in renovations
By JEFF LAGASSE
Staff Writer
http://www.journaltribune.com/articles/2013/11/30/news/doc529906de331a8763298864.txt
ARUNDEL — With a vote looming in January to determine whether Regional School Unit 21 undertakes a $75 million renovation of several of its schools, educators and town officials in Arundel, Kennebunk, and Kennebunkport are making a push to provide the public with as much information as possible.
It’s with this in mind that district representatives will hold a facilities tour of the Mildred L. Day School in Arundel on Monday at 6 p.m., to be followed at 7 p.m. by a public hearing on the current state of the renovation plans.
The proposed plan calls for major updates to Mildred L. Day School, Kennebunk High School and Kennebunkport Consolidated School. In the case of Mildred L. Day School, the primary focus would be on the replacement of the C and D wings. Built on unstable soil, those areas have experienced settling of about 1/2 inch per year, which has affected the structural integrity of the roof. Tim Hussey, chairman of the RSU’s Facilities Committee, said during a public hearing in October that new floor plans for the school would allow for a building that has greater security, proper vehicle and pedestrian flow, a full-sized gymnasium, larger classrooms, and a multi-purpose space for both school and public use.
The proposal for all three schools, which would be renovated concurrently, was crafted by the district and by Auburn-based Harriman Architects and Engineers.
read more...
Kennebunk residents urged to vote absentee on school projects
http://www.journaltribune.com/articles/2013/12/17/news/doc52a9df523f6b7142841440.txt
By JEFF LAGASSE
Staff Writer
KENNEBUNK — The Town of Kennebunk’s upcoming
mailing won’t exactly be a letter to Santa, but it will contain a gift
for its residents: absentee ballots, and a summary of information
pertinent to the impending vote on a $75 million renovation project
proposed by Regional School Unit 21.The letter, which may be sent out as soon as this week, breaks down the costs of potential improvements that would be made to three of the district’s schools – Kennebunk High School, Kennebunkport Consolidated School and the Mildred L. Day School in Arundel – as well as information on how to calculate the expected tax increase based on a resident’s property value.
read more...
Renovation needed for safety reasons
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131219-OPINION-312190348
To the Editor:
To the Editor:
RSU21
has proposed an aggressive renovation plan for Kennebunk High School,
Kennebunkport Consolidated School and Mildred L. Day School. The plan
provides state of the art facilities to all communities throughout the
RSU and will provide a safe and appealing environment for learning.
Friday, December 6, 2013
Thursday, December 5, 2013
THE ANNUAL ARUNDEL COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING
The Town of Arundel cordially invites Arundel residents, friends and neighbors to THE ANNUAL COMMUNITY TREE LIGHTING on Friday, December 6, 2013 at the Arundel Fire Station on the corner of Limerick Road & Mountain Road
Schedule of events:
5:40pm Shuttle service between ML Day School and Fire Station begins.
Pick-up & drop off locations will be on the sidewalk in front of the main office to MLD, and on Mountain Road next to Community Tree. (Last shuttle back to MLD will be at 8:00pm).
Schedule of events:
5:40pm Shuttle service between ML Day School and Fire Station begins.
Pick-up & drop off locations will be on the sidewalk in front of the main office to MLD, and on Mountain Road next to Community Tree. (Last shuttle back to MLD will be at 8:00pm).
- 5:50pm Little Melodies Band
6:00pm ML Day School Carolers
6:15-6:45pm Little Melodies Band continues to entertain
6:30-8:00pm Horse-drawn wagon rides with Rockin’ Horse Stables begin in Town Hall/Limerick Road parking lot.
6:45pm: Community sing-along to welcome Santa Claus as he arrives on a fire truck to light the Tree.
6:50-end Free photo & visit with Santa for each child
Throughout the evening: Kids’ crafts, face-painting, Xmas kids’ tattoos, popcorn, cookies & hot cocoa.
8:00pm Last shuttle ride back to ML Day School.
Arundel Fire-Rescue reports
Accident: Arundel Fire-Rescue responded to 670 Limerick Road for a motor vehicle crash on Nov. 29. On arrival units found a single vehicle that had struck a tree and the single occupant/operator was unconscious and trapped in the vehicle. The patient was extricated in approximately 10 minutes using hydraulic tools and then transported by Arundel paramedic/firefighter to Maine Medical Center in Portland.
Board's actions 'deceptive'
To the Editor:
Deception:
the inclination or practice of misleading others through lies or
trickery. It is becoming more and more apparent that the RSU 21 Board of
Directors are masters at the art of deception. Every major town
official NOT on the RSU 21 Board recommended against a January
referendum, but the board scheduled it anyway. First, they told us that
the special referendum was being scheduled in January because of their
great concern to save us money by avoiding rising interest rates,
building costs, etc. But last week they voted to extend the bond to 25
years, adding over $4 million in interest for us to pay. (We also get to
pay a sizeable amount just for the special referendum.)
Residents to receive voter info
KENNEBUNKPORT — The town of Kennebunkport will
be mailing information on the upcoming RSU 21 referendum to registered
voters next week.
On January 21, voters will
be asked to approve $74.8 million for three construction projects —
$53.5 million proposed for Kennebunk High School, $11.32 million
proposed for Mildred L. Day School, and $9.96 million proposed for
Kennebunkport Consolidated School.
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Biddeford police investigate rash of robberies, issue surveillance image
By David Hench dhench@pressherald.com
Staff Writer
Staff Writer
Biddeford police have issued a surveillance image of a person wanted for questioning in connection with a series of robberies over the past week, including another one that happened Tuesday night.
Police are investigating a robbery...
read more...
Town ponders seasonal cottages
Arundel officials discuss possibility of using TIF district for project
Housing units numbering approximately 260 would be constructed on 195 acres between Portland Road and Mountain Road, just north of Fritz’s Tire and Timeless Classics.
The size of the units would range from 850 to 1,350 square feet and would be valued, on average, at $220,000.
In addition to the housing units, a 9.2 parcel fronting Route 1 would provide commercial and retail space for a year-round establishment such as a post office, Paolini said.
read more...
Arundel Market robbed at gunpoint
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20131203-NEWS-131209934
ARUNDEL, Maine — York County Sheriff deputies are investigating a Monday night robbery of the Arundel Market.
Chief
Deputy William King of the York County Sheriff’s Office said the
Portland Road market was robbed at gunpoint at approximately 8 p.m.
Monday, when a single male showed a handgun and demanded money from the
cash register.
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