There are four powerful reasons for the RTM to vote to postpone the building of the Music Instructional Space and Auditorium project at Greenwich High School, commonly known as MISA, specifically:
1. There is little support for the escalating price tag that this project is costing taxpayers. The latest estimate by the MISA Building Committee is $37 million. There are many who are familiar with the project who privately believe that this project will cost at least $50 million by the time it is completed. While individuals in town may support the concept of MISA there are many who do not support the escalating costs.
2. The proposed town budget for Fiscal Year 2012-13, with a 2.75 mill rate increase, does not guarantee a low tax increase in future fiscal years because of the remediation of MISA and the GHS fields. While those on the Board of Education and other MISA proponents wish to separate MISA from the remediation of the GHS fields, the fact of the matter is that both are intertwined. The unknown remediation costs for the GHS fields will definitely have an impact on future mill rates and additional capital projects. According to the Board of Ed, a more definitive idea of costs with respect to the remediation should become better known in the fall of 2012. There is simply no "downside" to the RTM waiting until these costs are known before approving MISA. The $7 million reserve for cleanup may not be enough, especially now that groundwater contamination has been found.
3. RTM approval is not needed in May for Greenwich to be eligible for the maximum amount of state reimbursement. The reduction in reimbursement that the Board of Ed claims is imminent did not make it into the last proposed legislation and is unlikely to be so for FY 2012-13. There is also a question as to whether the expense of the auditorium is eligible for reimbursement. Either way, the reimbursement amount ($1 million to $4 million, depending on who on the Board of Ed you speak to) does not justify the proposed expenditure and cost overruns that are contemplated by MISA.
4. The BET conditions on their approval of any spending with respect to MISA are not "set in stone" and can be waived or eliminated by the BET without any review by the RTM or other government entity, so there is no guarantee of any such condition being met.
Here are the facts underlying each of these issues:
The Board of Ed has not considered other options with respect to the design of the auditorium and classroom space. They have consistently pointed to "historical errors of the 1969 high school construction" in justifying the cost of MISA. It is great that music enrollment is thriving. There should be improvements to the music space and auditorium. However, Greenwich taxpayers are simply being told by the Board of Ed that this is the best and only option while the board refuses to explore other ideas and designs. This is irresponsible and does not make sense given the additional expenses faced by the need for environmental remediation.
Contrary to the Board of Ed's contention that MISA is not a "money pit," the fact of the matter is that it is quickly becoming one. While the Building Committee has identified and estimated environmental costs related to its construction there has not yet been final sign off by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency or state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Without approval by these agencies the Board of Ed cannot say that the environmental remediation and containment that they are proposing will be the best estimate of costs. One "solution" is to build a cofferdam, at an estimated cost of $700,000, to keep contaminated groundwater from the orchestra pit. Without knowing the full impact on the costs, why would anyone on the RTM vote to approve this project?
Taxpayers should understand that while the proposed budget by the BET has a mill rate increase of 2.75 percent for next year that includes MISA it also assumes the postponement of other projects, such as fire protection on King Street, changes to the Holly Hill Transfer Station, the Byram Pool and an upgrade of the police radio communication system. Yet there is no guarantee that these projects will be postponed. Without postponement the 2.75 percent mill rate increase will be a thing of the past.
The RTM's deferral of MISA to at least October of 2012 will not add significant costs to MISA. Even the Board of Ed admits that the bidding environment remains very competitive. Again, there is no "downside" to delaying approval of funds for MISA.
RTM members should vote to postpone MISA and eliminate the $12 million and associated costs earmarked for MISA in the proposed 2012-13 budget until the financial impact of this project plus the remediation of the GHS fields are known.
Karen Fassuliotis is a Greenwich resident and former RTM member.
