N.B. voters approve $7.3M referendum
Progress on NBTHS was hampered by soil contamination
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

North Brunswick voters approved $7.3 million for delay costs stemming from the construction and renovation of the township high school on Tuesday.

During a special referendum, 1,122 residents voted in favor of continuing the construction work on the North Brunswick Township High School, which is expected to be completed by September. In the wide-margined vote, only 745 residents voted in opposition to the additional aid.

“I’m thrilled,” Superintendent of Schools Robert Rimmer said. “It was a huge differential. Clearly the community shows when there is an educational need, they are for it.”

The referendum is a necessity resulting from delay claims from the remediation of the site due to hazardous and nonhazardous materials found in 2003. The $29.9 million initial project to construct 19 classrooms, an auditorium, science and computer labs, music rooms, a photography lab, an art room, a ceramics room, a broadcast studio and other educational spaces was approved by voters in a January 2002 referendum, which included a $7.8 million state grant.

“I would like to thank the community. This is indicative of the support they show for our school system and for the students. One of the reasons we continue to have such a great school system is because of the community support,” Rimmer said.

The average property owner of a house valued at $150,000 will now see taxes increase by about $35 per year for the 20-year life of the bonds. However, Rimmer said that any money received from the responsible parties will be given back to the taxpayers.

“It’s a good thing. I think it is in the best interest of the township to have the project finished,” Township Council President Carlo Socio said. “Unfortunately, the situation surrounding that entire site has delayed the project for so long, but we finally will be able to have the students in the facility they have waited for for so long.”

This month’s vote was the second one this year and the third in three years, providing a steady tax increase to residents from the school and municipal budgets.

“I think that us on the council are genuinely concerned about any tax increase whether it comes from the Board of Ed or our own building. It did pass, but everybody must be mindful about passing it because there are costs associated with it,” Socio said.

In any case, Rimmer gave credit to township officials for helping to pass the referendum.

“I would like to thank the mayor and council for helping to support the referendum; I believe they were a key element,” he said.