Residents agreed to fund a $16 million recreation center in Colchester on Town Meeting Day.
In a 1,746-1,316 tally, voters gave approval for a $6.9 million bond, which equates to about 46% of the town’s $15 million municipal budget request. The bond will be repaid over a period of 10 years.
The capital project outlines a nearly 30,000-square-foot multigenerational facility to be built on a centrally located 14-acre site the town already owns on East Lakeshore Drive, which was bought with voter approval in 2004. The center will include an elevated track, a gymnasium, a cardio/weight room, locker rooms and studio space.
Some residents opposed the item, citing environmental concerns and the steep proposed membership fees, along with the fact that several gyms already exist in the area. Many also hoped to see a pool, which town officials said could be considered at a later phase.
Scott Wood, a former member of the town’s conservation commission, said he is concerned the recreation center will be built on “land that is critically endangered” and that the town has removed a former site assessment from the website.
“I have sent the assessment to the town manager and the entire select board,” he said via email. “The town believes they can do whatever they want with the property. I feel the citizens of Colchester have been lied to repeatedly throughout this process.”
Elsewhere on the ballot, voters approved a town municipal expenditure budget of $15.02 million, of which $12.6 million is set to be raised by taxes in the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Voters also approved a $52.4 million school budget, which is projected to result in spending $17,932 per equalized pupil.
Eight candidates secured seats in uncontested races. They are Jacqueline “Jacki” Murphy for a two-year term and Maureen Dakin for a three-year term on the selectboard; Ben Yousey-Hindes for a two-year term and Lindsey Cox for a three-year term on the school board.
In other town races, Scott Barrett was voted in as moderator for one year, Angela MacDonald was voted in as lister for three years and Leora Black was chosen for library trustee for five years.