Surry schedules June special town meeting on school ventilation, roof and electrical upgrades

The Surry Select Board on May 20 voted to put two warrant articles before voters at a Special Town Meeting on June 4 that would advance installation of a ventilation system at Surry Elementary School, extend the work to the annex, and fund a new shingled roof and necessary electrical panel upgrades.

The board also noted that a public information session will be held by the School Committee on May 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the Surry Elementary School gym to review the proposals before town voters decide on June 4.

Select Board member Chris Stark moved to place the warrant articles on the Special Town Meeting warrant and to recommend a yes vote; Pat Kane seconded and both motions passed unanimously. When recommending the articles, the board clarified the financing terms: the total loan amount listed in the warrant is $694,618, of which 30 percent ($208,385) is designated to be forgiven, leaving a bond obligation of $486,233.

If voters approve the articles at the Special Town Meeting, the work described — ventilation system installation covering the main building and annex, a new shingled roof across the building, and upgrades to the electrical panel — would proceed according to the schedule and funding mechanisms in the warrant articles. The School Committee will host the information session May 28 so residents can review project details prior to the June 4 vote.

The Select Board took no further action beyond approving the warrant language and the board recommendation at the May 20 meeting; final authority rests with voters at the Special Town Meeting on June 4.