Stonington — K-12 School Building Committee Chairman Rob Marseglia had some good news for taxpayers Wednesday night.

He told the Board of Selectmen that updated cost estimates show that the Deans Mill and West Vine Street elementary school renovation and expansion project will cost $4.8 million less than the $67 million in borrowing approved by voters.

There will be $2.8 million in savings at Deans Mill and $2 million at West Vine. The savings will result in the town not only having to borrow less money but not having to pay interest on that money. Work began this month at both schools and is slated for completion in December of 2018.

First Selectmen Rob Simmons commended the committee on its work.

“There’s plenty of work to be done but we’re making a good start here,” he said, adding that residents have confidence in the committee.

In response to questions from the selectmen, Marseglia said that some large flowering trees planted at Deans Mill in memory of some teachers had to be taken down because they were too big to move. But he said the plaques have been saved and will be rededicated with new trees when the project is completed.

In addition, he said the Leslie Buck Memorial Reading Garden at Deans Mill School also will be preserved or relocated at the school.

With the $4.8 million in savings, selectmen agreed to accept a bid to spend $121,000 not originally approved for the project to restore the sensory garden at West Vine Street School. Acknowledging the garden was a want and not a need, Selectman Mike Spellman said there has been significant community involvement in the garden, which is heavily used.

“We’re not just building buildings here but building communities,” he said.

Pointing to the town being the only municipality in the state with more than 1 percent population growth, Spellman said the two new schools are another step the town is taking to preserve its excellent quality of life and make it an attractive place to raise a family and live.

j.wojtas@theday.com