East Lyme — A five-year capital improvement plan with proposals to renovate elementary schools, acquire new vehicles and repair roads was approved by residents at Monday's annual town meeting.

The plan requests $7,181,426 in funding for projects next year from funding sources, including the proposed 2015-16 budget, grants, state funds and bonding. Funding all the requested projects over the next five years would cost $102 million from a variety of sources.

Projects within the 2015-16 proposed budget include upgrades to the Planning Department's GIS system, the acquisition of public works vehicles, an ongoing acquisition of Scott Air Paks for the Niantic Fire Department, and continued upgrades to technology across the school district.

For 2015-16, the plan proposes bonding $1.3 million for a construction engineering design study for a potential project to renovate the elementary schools that could go to referendum next year. Bonding projects require approval from the selectmen, Board of Finance and residents.

The plan includes $45,000 in state funds as a placeholder for an architect. First Selectman Mark Nickerson said that if the community moves forward with a plan to renovate two of the town's three elementary schools, one of the school's — Lillie B. Haynes — could be returned to the town. The architect could assist with the best use for that building.

A request for $60 million in bonding for the proposed elementary-school construction is currently placed within the 2018-19 year of the long-range plan.

Many questions and comments Monday were about the proposed elementary school project. About 35 residents, including officials and town employees, attended the meeting.

Board of Education Chairman Tim Hagen said so far an architect has been drafting the schools' proposed layout. The proposed engineering design study would enable the architect to draw up the necessary plans to be submitted to the state for reimbursement.

Monday's meeting adjourned to a referendum on the proposed 2015-16 town and school budget of $67,145,328, a 3.12 percent increase. The referendum will be held from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 21 at the East Lyme Community Center. The tax rate is projected to increase by .68 mills, if the budget is approved.

Several residents raised concerns about the budget process on Monday, because they said the full Board of Finance should have presented the budget at the town meeting, in addition to last month's public hearing.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich