Select Board approves warrant language for Old Colony RVTHS debt exclusion vote on Nov. 18
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Summary
Select Board approved the debt-exclusion ballot language for Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School's new building project and reviewed the project cost and Lakeville's estimated share; staff and officials urged voter turnout and explained what a debt exclusion entails.
The Lakeville Select Board on Tuesday approved the warrant language and ballot question wording for a debt exclusion vote that will appear alongside Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School's ballot item on Nov. 18.
Town Administrator Andrew read the bond-counsel-recommended language that will appear on the election warrant, framed as a Proposition 2½ debt exclusion. The motion describes the district's plan "to pay costs of designing, constructing, originally equipping, and furnishing a new district high school and related athletic facilities located at 476 North Avenue, Rochester," and authorizes Lakeville's allocable share of the district bonds.
Officials reviewed the financing context for voters. The total project cost was presented as $288 million, and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) is projected to contribute a $159 million grant toward the project. Andrew said Lakeville's share — because Lakeville makes up about 25% of the Old Colony district population — is roughly $39 million (described at the meeting as "about $39 and change") and that the town's annual debt service if not excluded could be on the order of $1.2 million to $1.5 million per year over the life of the bond.
Finance Director Mike Ellis explained the difference between a debt exclusion and an override: a debt exclusion temporarily raises the tax levy for the life of the bond; an override is a permanent increase to the tax levy. Mike Ellis said the select board is being asked to approve the warrant language for the local debt exclusion question only. "Debt exclusion is a temporary increase to the tax base for the life of the note," he said.
Panelists noted that if some member towns approve the school project and others do not, the district may still move forward; the Select Board emphasized that funding mechanisms across member towns will determine local obligations.
The Select Board approved the warrant and the proposed ballot language in a roll-call vote and directed staff to circulate explanatory materials to voters ahead of the Nov. 18 election.
