The Town of Newtown has developed its latest informational Q&A document to continue ensuring that residents are informed through the rebuilding process of Sandy Hook Elementary School.

The fifth document, released on September 26, provides an update on the Sandy Hook Elementary School building project and the referendum scheduled on October 5, 2013 to authorize the town government to spend money which has been granted by the State of Connecticut.

The Newtown Board of Education, as members of the Sandy Hook School Task Force, endorsed the decision to remove the current Sandy Hook Elementary School building and build a new school on a modified version of the current site on Dickinson Drive.

Q&A #5 offers answers to a number of questions, including the date, time and location of the referendum (Saturday, October 5, 6 am to 8 pm, at Newtown Middle School); who is eligible to vote in the special referendum (all registered Newtown voters, as well as anyone in the US who is assessed at least $1,000 on the 2012 Grand List for real estate or motor vehicles); what the referendum question is; whether a Yes vote on the referendum will increase taxes (No); whether or not the town will have to repay the State of Connecticut the $50 million granted for the project (No); and why the school will be demolished and a new school built instead of renovation to the current building (costs, codes, energy efficiency, safety features and other factors).

The document also answers whether a No vote means the location of the new school will change (No); what the next steps are in the rebuilding project (abatement, demolition, and the beginning of design and construction of the new school building); and what happens if the referendum is voted down (among other things, all work related to Sandy Hook School would cease).

To see the full document, click here.

Copies of the new Q&A document are available at the Office of the First Selectman at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose Street. Beginning Friday, September 27, they will also be available at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street; and Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road.

Meetings With The Public Continue

In addition, the Town of Newtown and the Newtown Public School District have partnered to offer a series of informational meetings for the public to answer questions about the referendum scheduled for Saturday, October 5. Announced on September 20, the first such meetings were held earlier this week but officials have additional times scheduled.

First Selectman Pat Llodra will have extended hours in her office on Saturday, September 28, 1 to 3 pm; Sunday, September 29, 2 to 4pm; and Monday, September 30, 4 to 5:30 pm.

Interim Superintendent of Schools Dr John Reed will be available to meet with residents in his office, also at Newtown Municipal Center, on Monday, September 30, 7:30 to 9 pm; and Tuesday, October 1, 5 to 7 pm.

Also, the opportunity to attend a meeting with both Mrs Llodra and Dr Reed have been scheduled for Monday, September 30, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm, at Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Road; and Thursday, October 3, 7 to 9 pm, in the Conference Room at Newtown Municipal Center.

For additional information, the Office of the First Selectman can be reached by calling 203-270-4201. The Office of the Superintendent can be reached by calling 203-426-7620.

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