Stonington - Residents will vote on whether the town should spend $1.2 million to fix the leaky roof at Deans Mill School at a town meeting slated for March 18 at 7 p.m. at the high school.

Approving the expenditure will not increase the current budget or tax rate as the money would be taken from the town's $11.7 million undesignated fund balance, which is designed to help the town deal with emergencies.

The Board of Education had originally asked the finance board to approve $569,000 to fix the five sections of the roof that are now leaking. But finance board members said it makes more sense to replace the entire roof now because all of it is wet, past its life expectancy and could soon start leaking.

A large group of Deans Mill staff and parents have pressed town and school officials to fix the problem. Tarps now hang from leaky ceilings in the school to collect water and drain them through hoses into trash buckets. Roof sections over the cafeteria, gym, library, office and a classroom are in the worst condition.

The project will also add a pitch to the flat roof so water flows off of it. The roof over the library could be replaced during April vacation with the majority of the work done this summer.

- Joe Wojtas