Opponents Question Springs Proposition
A little more than a week before Springs School District residents are to vote on its annual budget, a separate proposition drew attention at a budget hearing on Monday.
Last year, Springs voters approved setting aside $2 million in a reserve fund for capital improvements. Now they are being asked to spend it.
The proposal, which would not add anything to the tax warrant, calls for a $915,000 parking lot, netting 150 spaces, which would replace one of the ball fields on the campus, a redesigned drop-off and pick-up loop for an additional $256,000, and revamping a playground and other ball fields for about $348,000
Other proposed changes are meant to improve traffic flow and safety for both pedestrians and drivers on Ed Hults Lane, School Street, and Old Stone Highway.
A few residents at the meeting questioned the plan on Monday, saying the scope needed to be clearer, the environmental aspects studied, and suggesting the money might be better spent on an expansion of the school building.
“I appreciate that whoever drafted the newsletter labeled the project as ‘health and safety,’ which of course means no one will question it except me,” said David Buda, a resident. “I question whether or not the project is fully necessary at this time and whether you’re getting the most bang for the buck. . . . Can this project be toned down, even if it’s approved, or phased in?”
“We can’t phase it in,” Liz Mendelman, the Springs School Board president, said. “There’s not enough parking. To really address the core issue, it’s not only safety for the kids, but it’s also for the community.”
Mr. Buda said more attention needed to be paid to the environmental impact of the new parking lot and the other proposed changes.
Chris Tucci, a resident and parent, suggested the money could be better spent elsewhere, such as on an expansion of the school building. On Monday, he said he was still against using $2 million on the parking lot and proposed traffic improvements.
“Based on my experience, the only time that there’s traffic around the school is 8:30 in the morning and 3:30 in the afternoon,” Mr. Tucci said. “Most of the day . . . traffic is not an issue whatsoever. If there is a safety and health concern, I think there should be some documentation.”
Regarding the budget in general, another resident, Carole Campolo, suggested the board “make some really hard decisions, do some really tough negotiating” to control costs.
“The only ones you’re going to be able to turn to are the taxpayers,” she said. “You can’t keep balancing these budgets with one-shot fund balances. Those are going to end, so you have to bring some structural discipline to this budget.”
Attendance at the hearing was sparse so it remains to be seen how the majority will vote on the issue.