BRUNSWICK

The Brunswick School Board will meet Wednesday in special session, five days ahead of the town council meeting where councilors may vote on sending a proposed $33.7 million school bond to a June referendum.

School board members this week are expected to review the bond proposal and residents’ input from the council’s Jan. 17 public hearing on the bond. Council Chairwoman Alison Harris announced the pending school board meeting at Sunday’s town council retreat.

“I feel we’ll vote one way or another,” Harris said of the council’s Feb. 6 meeting.

The school district is seeking funds for a new $28 million elementary school, as well as $5.7 million to repair the junior high school.

‘Hard negotiations’

Also Sunday, some councilors said they would like to see more money from Bowdoin College go into town coffers.

Through a payment in lieu of taxes program, or PILOT, the college voluntarily gave to Brunswick $132,200 last year and is expected to give $167,200 this year, according to Finance Director Julie Henze.

Councilor Dan Harris said Bowdoin ought to contribute $500,000-$600,000, and said the town should enter into “hard negotiations” with the college.

“I do agree with Dan that we should approach them for more,” said Councilor John Perreault.

“You can’t force them into it,” Councilor Jane Millett said.

State law exempts colleges from property taxes, according to Town Manager John Eldridge.

Some Bowdoin faculty housing is taxable, Eldridge said, but not student dorms.

Assistant Town Manager Derek Scrapchansky is reviewing how Bates College financially benefits Lewiston and Colby College benefits Waterville.