August 18, 2008
Fosters
PORTSMOUTH — The City Council voted to move forward with the eminent domain process Monday night, but very clearly stated the size and cost of a new middle school must come down.
The issue of whether to use eminent domain to expand Portsmouth Middle School onto deed-restricted land and the issue of design specifications and related costs has been largely separate but parallel debates. At Monday’s meeting the issues merged as the council voted 6-3 to move the eminent domain process forward.
The council vote established a public hearing to determine public use and necessity at the Oct. 6 meeting. After that meeting, a final vote will be taken.
Prior to the eminent domain vote, the council heard from and questioned School Board Chairman Mitch Shuldman regarding his monthly presentation on the school. He addressed the current 134,000-square-foot $40.5 million proposal and how it relates to the school building aid. For a 650-student school, the city would only receive 43 percent in state funding for a 101,000-square-foot school – leaving taxpayers to fully fund the remainder.
The board meets Sept. 9 where they are expected to formulate a request for bonding on conceptual design of school. Shuldman said it is unlikely the size of the school will be decreased significantly.
“I can’t see fitting the middle school program in what the state baseline is without losing some programing,” said Shuldman.
While voting on eminent domain, seven of the nine councilors specifically mentioned having concerns with the size.
“I think there’s been a number of points of view raised that the cost and the size of the school has to be addressed,” said Mayor Tom Ferrini. “I don’t think we could be more specific then we’ve been already. And I suspect if we engage in further discussion, we will be more specific.”
Councilors Esther Kennedy, Ken Smith and Laura Pantelakos voted against the use of eminent domain.