By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Hillsborough Township voters readily supported borrowing $2 million for school facilities Tuesday.
The unofficial final vote was margin was 1,548 yes and 475 no, more than a 3-1 margin in support of borrowing for two projects:
— Replacement of the artificial turf on the high school football field, and
— Redesign, repaving and repair of the middle school parking lot.
Less than 8 percent (7.75 percent) of registered voters cast ballots.
School officials emphasized that being able to borrow money, even for as short a term as one year, puts them into position to accept 40 percent of the total cost in the form of state aid.
The total estimated project cost of $2,034,509 is eligible to receive about 40 percent ($813,804) of the total project costs in debt service aid from the state.
The balance of the money ($1,220,705) will come from a reserve account the school board has accumulated in anticipation of these projects.
The board has estimated costs at $1.426 million for the parking lot redesign and repair, and $608,000 for the field, but could come in lower once the bidding process is completed.
Both projects are scheduled to be completed this summer and be in place before the new school year in the fall.
For this election, voting districts were consolidated. The results:
— Consolidated district No.1 (voting districts 3, 8, 10 and 21 at the Municipal Building), 181 yes, 74 no.
— Consolidated No. 2 (voting districts 24, 26, 28, 29 and 30 at the Municipal Building, 235-89.
— Consolidated No. 3 (voting districts 2, 4, 12, 13 and 14 at Mary, Mother of God, Church), 165-56.
— Consolidated No. 4 (voting districts 15, 16, 17, 19 and 23 at Mary, Mother of God, 204-44.
— Consolidated No. 5 (voting districts 31, 32 and 33 voting at Hillsborough High School), 107-21.
— Consolidated No. 6 (voting districts 5, 6 and 7 at Hillsborough Middle School, 141-36.
— Consolidated No. 7 (voting districts 18, 20 and 22 at Hillsborough High School), 148-31.
— Consolidated No. 8 (voting districts 9, 11, 25 and 27 at Woods Road Fire Co. No. 3), 280-57.
— Millstone Borough: 17 yes, 14 no.
— Vote by mail (two municipalities): 70 yes, 53 no.
