Voters face five spending questions

Proposed sports complex, town hall move included

SOUTH WINDSOR — Voters face five spending questions at a referendum set for Tuesday, including relocation of town hall to a former bank building and construction of a newsports field and facilities in Nevers Park.

The proposed spending totals about $19 million after state reimbursement, officials say. Theownerof a homeappraised at $300,000 (assessment of $210,000) would pay $52.50 more in annual taxes, according to a town chart.

Voters will decide:

Whether to move town hall offices from the current location at 1540 Sullivan Ave. to a former bank building at 1645 Ellington Road. The total cost of buying, renovating and furnishing the building is $5,475,000, according to the question.

The town council voted in December to purchase the 31,170-square foot Ellington Road building, pending voters’ approval. Thecurrent, approximately 25,000-squarefoot town hall would house the parks and recreation department, now based at a former school, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco said. Theproposal, officials say, is driven by the need for more space and the great expense — up to $14 million — of renovating the current building to serve a growing population.

Aproposed athletics complex at Nevers Park, across Nevers Road from South Windsor High School, costing $3.95 million. The complex would include a synthetic playing field, bleachers, lighting, a press box, locker rooms, public rest rooms and parking area.

Advocates say the facilities are sorely needed for a growing student population. School board Chairman Craig Zimmermanwrotetothe towncouncil that a school accreditation agency cited a need for more sports fields.

“This school system’s need, along with the ongoing needs of our youth sports programs, makes this an important need for the community,” Zimmerman wrote.

Opponents, however, say the sports complex is being rushed and will destroy the peace of a popular walking, jogging and skiing destination and intrude on a thriving ecosystem.

Woodmar Circle resident Dawn Holcombe said no impact studies have been done and no consideration given to the destruction of trails, fields and woods.

“It is unconscionable that this towncouncil has placed such an incomplete, inappropriate, costly project on a referendum at all, let alone one that will be adversely affected by the lack of public debate and visibility during a pandemic,” Holcombe said.

Proposed renovations, including roofing and windows, costing $1.3 million at the current town hall building.

Proposed roof replacements and road work totaling $9.34 million. Buckland and Pleasant Valley roads would be reconstructed and roofs would be replaced at the Community Center on Nevers Road, the public works facility on Burgess Road, and Timothy Edwards Middle School.