An Act Relating to the Construction of a Locally Funded Arts and Technology Center in Maine School Administrative District No. 49
Emergency preamble. Whereas, Acts of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and
Whereas, Private and Special Law 1995, chapter 32 and Private and Special Law 1997, chapter 59 authorized Maine School Administrative District No. 49 to enter into a design-build contract or other alternative construction arrangements to construct an arts and technology center in the Town of Fairfield; and
Whereas, Maine School Administrative District No. 49 conducted a design-build competition and requested a number of design-build firms to submit proposals for the design and construction of the arts and technology center; and
Whereas, the building committee of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 has selected a proposal for the design and construction of the arts and technology center that combines new construction and reconstruction of existing school facilities; and
Whereas, a question has arisen whether the concept design of the project is within the scope of the original authorization of Private and Special Law 1995, chapter 32 and Private and Special Law 1997, chapter 59; and
Whereas, Maine School Administrative District No. 49 cannot proceed with the design and construction of the project until its authority has been clarified; and
Whereas, in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. Authority to construct arts and technology center. Subject to approval of the voters of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 at a referendum conducted on or after January 19, 1999, the Board of School Directors of Maine School Administrative District No. 49 is authorized to construct and equip a locally funded arts and technology center employing a design for the project that includes a technology suite, an auditorium using the structure of the existing junior high school gymnasium, a new junior high school gymnasium and other additions and improvements to the Lawrence Junior-Senior High School complex, with the total cost of the project not to exceed $5,500,000, including $4,700,000 from the Town of Fairfield's Bert Williamson Fund previously paid to the district by the municipal officers of the Town of Fairfield, with the balance of the total project costs to be derived from conditional and unconditional gifts obtained by the district through fund raising, available funds of the district from sources other than taxation and interest earnings on the Williamson Fund and other funds described in this section. The additional operating costs of the project during its first 2 years must be paid from conditional and unconditional gifts obtained by the district through fund raising, available funds of the district from sources other than taxation and local appropriations without state participation approved by the voters of the district pursuant to the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 20-A, section 15614, subsection 3. The district is authorized to enter into a design-build contract or to employ other alternative construction arrangements for the project. Notwithstanding the provisions of Title 20-A, sections 15903, 15905-A, 15908 and 15910, or other applicable laws, this project is not subject to approval by the Commissioner of Education or the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, Bureau of General Services. This Act may not be construed as waiving any building construction standards related to health or safety that apply to school construction projects, and the specifications for the project must be approved by the State Fire Marshal and the Department of Human Services.
Sec. 2. P&SL 1995, c. 32 is repealed.
Sec. 3. P&SL 1997, c. 59 is repealed.
Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this Act takes effect when approved.
Effective March 11, 1999.
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