‘Let’s make a smart investment’

BY SCOTT MAZUZAN

The “tax hike” propaganda fails to tell the whole story. There is no $0 option for Cape Elizabeth schools. The last professionally vetted and cost estimated addition/renovation option carried a price tag north of $70 million and an expected extension of useful life of less than 20 years. At that juncture, all three of our school buildings will be facing even more critical failures.

Is it responsible to fund a 20 year fix with a 30 year bond? Do renovations usually come in under budget? No and no.

Our independent owner’s rep, our architect, and 11 of 14 elected town officials all agree that new construction is the most strategic use of taxpayer funds, and that this project should be approved by voters. Renovation is nearly as expensive, carries a higher risk of cost overrun, and represents a dramatically lower return on investment. Our community has spent two years negotiating reductions of scope and cost in response to taxpayer concerns.

Block out the rest of the noise and consider these facts. Supporting information is available in the public record. This problem is not going away; let’s make a smart investment.