WATERBORO — Voters in the six towns that make up Regional School Unit 57 will vote Nov. 4 on whether to bond $4.9 million of a projected $6.8 million renovation to the district’s athletic complex on the grounds of Massabesic High School.

School officials project the bonded amount will cost taxpayers with a home valued at $180,000 about an average of $3 a month, or $36 annually, based on 2013 valuations, for the 15-year life of the bond. The remaining $1.9 million of the project is expected to come from the school district’s capital reserves, fundraising and possibly from corporate sponsorships, school officials said.

Massabesic Activities Director Brendan Scully outlined the proposed project to Waterboro selectmen Tuesday evening. It would be the first major overhaul to the entire athletic complex since the school was built in the 1970s.

The project includes resurfacing the track, which is currently unusable for competition; widening the field surface to accommodate soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and other field sports; installing a synthetic surface, adding bleachers, upgrading softball and baseball fields to allow for home games; constructing new tennis courts for high school competition and public use; adding bathroom facilities (portable toilets are now in use); storage facilities, parking, a new maintenance facility and replacing fencing to improve security and, proponents say, control access more efficiently.

Scully said the school board formed an ad hoc committee back in 2012 to examine the athletic complex.

“The (current) facilities are deteriorating,” Scully said. He said the school board has a desire to provide students with a Class A facility that is also open for public use. The renovated complex would foster a sense of school and community pride, he said.

Selectman Dennis Abbott pointed out that a Waterboro taxpayer with a $180,000 home would likely pay closer to $50 or $60 annually, based on the overall figures Scully provided in his presentation, rather than the $36 projected.

The total amount each of the towns’ taxpayers would pay for the new complex over the 15-year term varies per community. According to figures supplied by Scully, Alfred’s share is $706, 559 of the total $4.9 million loan, or $3,925 per month; Limerick will pay $826,489 over the life on the loan, or $4,592 per month; Lyman will pay $1.9 million, or $6,615 a month; Newfield, $484,348 over the life of the loan, or $2,691 a month; Shapleigh, $994,783 over the life of the loan, or $5,527 per month, and Waterboro. $2.24 million over the life of the loan, or $12,490 a month.

A breakdown of the amount this would add to the bill of a taxpayer with a $180,000 home in each of the six RSU 57 towns was not available Tuesday. As well, the school district’s business manager was vacationing this week and so unavailable to supply those figures.

Selectman Jon Gale asked Scully what his response would be if people were saying that the school doesn’t take care of the sports complex it already has, and that is has been “let go” over the years.

Scully said a combination of the age of the facility and maintenance that might not have been a priority in prior years have taken a toll, but that maintenance would be a priority in the future.

Massabesic High School Principal Chris Elkington said with limited funds, the school board has focused on the school buildings.

Selectman’s board Chairman David Woodsome asked about annual maintenance costs.

“I don’t have a figure,” said Scully, but he projected maintenance would cost less than it does currently because artificial turf doesn’t require as intensive attention as grass.

Elkington said of the 16 schools in the league in which Massabesic students participate, 14 have had major renovations in recent years.

“The timing sucks,” said Woodsome.

Abbott pointed out that there are about 4,500 taxpayers n Waterboro, and that many of them don’t have students in the school system.

“This is well thought out, but could it have been phased in?” Abbott asked.

School Superintendent John Davis pointed out that there are few facilities 40 to 50 years old that don’t require rehabilitation.

Abbott wondered how much of the capital reserve would be used.

“It depends on how much we raise (in donations),” said Davis.

One resident, Herman Allen, said he felt the $4.9 million to be bonded was a hefty price tag.

“A lot of people can’t afford the taxes as they are,” he said.

The school district hosts a public hearing on the sports complex at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Massabesic High School auditorium, locate don West Road.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.