Staufen grows and grows. The continuing population increase is particularly noticeable in schools. A forecast assumes around 90 additional primary school students in just four years. This corresponds to an increase in the number of students of almost 30 percent. The forecast also assumes four to six additional primary school classes that will be needed in four years.
All of these numbers translate into a need for more school space. And the population of Staufen reacted to this need at the local community meeting the day before yesterday. The 93 voters present in the gymnasium approved with a large majority a loan of 4.34 million francs for the construction of a new kindergarten.
The financially intensive investment has not yet had a decisive impact on the 2021 budget. This was also approved with an unchanged tax rate of 76 percent and an estimated surplus of expenses of 387,800 francs. However, local councilor Urs Welti prepared the meeting participants for a tax rate increase in the year after next. “The investments make a tax rate increase of at least five percent likely.”
Meanwhile, Gmeind initiated another promising project with a loan of CHF 266,220. With this, joint water procurement for the municipalities of Staufen, Rupperswil and Hunzenschwil in the “Suret” area west of Rupperswil is to be planned.
Since no protection zones can be set up for the existing Bleichematt groundwater pumping station, it will have to be replaced in the foreseeable future, municipal mayor Otto Moser explained the project: “With a new groundwater pumping station implemented by three municipalities as part of the owners’ association, Staufen’s water supply will be maintained for the next dozen years ensured. “
The youth festival will only take place in 2022
Until the implementation of the new supply concept, the Staufner municipal council expects costs of around 7 million francs for the three municipalities involved. “These are high costs,” Moser responded to a critical question. “However, as the owner of the pumping station, we are not dependent on a stock corporation and therefore have an influence on the water price.”
Further loans to the community assembly were granted for the renovation of the Mühlacherweg, the Kornweg, the Unterrainweg and the Parkstrasse. The new kindergarten will also receive a photovoltaic system on the roof for 55,000 francs. In addition, the local council had to inform the population about the corona-related postponement of the youth festival. This will now take place in 2022 together with the inauguration of the double sports hall and the new kindergarten.
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