Surry voters to consider loan for school work

Voters will decide future of project during special town meeting on June 4

June 2, 2026

By Tricia Thomas

SURRY—During a special town meeting on June 4, voters in Surry will decide whether to authorize borrowing nearly $700,000 toward a $1.2 million project to improve air quality and replace the roof at the town’s elementary school.

According to two warrant articles that will be weighed at the meeting, the zero-interest, $694,618 loan—30 percent of which will be forgiven by the issuing municipal bond bank—will finance a majority of the work.

Ventilation issues, including elevated Co2 levels, were discovered in parts of the school in 2023. They were attributed to a sealed ventilation system. While temporary improvements to boost air flow were made, the school and town have grappled with how to pay for long-term improvements needed.

If the proposed loan is approved by voters, the town of Surry would enter into an agreement with the Maine Municipal Bond Bank for a loan that totals $486,233 after $208,385 of the principal is forgiven. The interest-free loan would be paid in 10 annual installments.

Also up for consideration at the meeting is a separate warrant article that asks for $182,000 to be appropriated for the project from the school capital reserve fund and another $100,000 from undesignated funds.

“If Article 2 and 3 are approved, construction would begin in the Summer of 2026 and would be completed by September 30, 2027. Article 2 and 3 would appropriate funds to complete 79% of the work,” the town states in its written explanation of the articles. “The remaining 21%, or $257,373 would need to be funded in Fiscal Year 2028.”

“The Surry School Committee and Surry Selectboard will work collaboratively to pursue ways to fund the remaining amount,” the warrant continues. “Sources for that funding may include using undesignated funds, grants, and/or borrowing from the Maine Municipal Bond Bank or financing through a local institution.”

The June 4 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the school gymnasium.