DALTON -- The Central Berkshire Regional School District wants taxpayers to support nearly $616,000 in capital improvements that one member town feels will force them to ask for a Proposition 2 1/2 override.
The School Committee has initially approved the eight projects proposed by district officials, with a final vote the capital investments expected on April 11.
If approved, the seven-member towns would have to approve the projects at their annual town meetings and possibly at the ballot box. Dalton Selectman William Chabot fears the list of improvements -- funded outside Central Berkshire's operating budget -- would force his town to also seek approval at a town election for expenditures it can't afford.
"This will potentially cause a tax override vote," Chabot told the committee Thursday night. "The economy has really [improved], but we haven't felt it."
The proposed capital improvements include:
n $20,000 for new playground equipment at Becket Washington School.
n $117,000 to replace carpeting with low maintenance rubberized flooring at Craneville School.
n $93,500 to replace two air handling units at Craneville Elementary.
n $110,000 toward new concrete walkways at Wahconah Regional High School.
n $100,000 to refurbish 500 seats in Wahconah's auditorium.
n $50,000 toward a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the district central office.
n $54,783 to buy a heavy duty pick-up with a
n $72,000 for various security upgrades at all six of the district's school buildings.
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