Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Capital Funding topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee splits over funding shortfall for newly installed field turf; motion to cover deficit fails
Summary
Westerly officials told the committee Feb. 5 that the district has a $318,736 shortfall tied to the recently installed synthetic turf; a motion to commit $199,293 from the FY24 fund balance failed for lack of a second after members debated fundraising and prior commitments.
Westerly — The Westerly School Committee on Feb. 5 heard that a bill for a recently installed synthetic turf field has left the district with a $318,736 funding gap, and members sharply disagreed over whether the committee should commit district fund‑balance dollars to cover part of the shortfall.
Cindy (finance director) told the committee that the installed field contract (approximately $1.4 million) has been paid, but the project now shows a remaining deficit of $318,736 after accounting for committed funding. Cindy asked the committee to commit $199,293 from the FY24 fund balance and to request that the town council release a remaining committed town contribution of $119,443 so all previously pledged funds are captured in the district accounting.
Why it matters: The field is complete and invoices have been paid; how the checks are recorded and which funding sources are used determines whether the district will exhaust fund balance or ask the town council to release its committed amount. The school committee and town both play roles in formal capital funding and budgetary approvals.
Committee debate and procedural outcome Committee members pushed back and asked why additional fundraising had not continued; several members said the district had hired a professional fundraiser previously and that fundraising tapered when that contract ended. One committee member said they were unwilling to commit additional taxpayer funds without renewed fundraising effort. Others said the district has an obligation to pay vendors and that failing to account for the cost would imperil the town contribution and reflect poorly on the district’s stewardship.
A committee member moved to commit $199,293 from the FY24 fund balance and to request the town council release $119,443 of its earlier commitment. The motion received no second and therefore failed; committee discussion continued but no subsequent vote was taken that evening.
Votes at a glance - Motion: Commit $199,293 from FY24 fund balance to cover field turf shortfall and request $119,443 from town council to fulfill previously committed town funds. - Outcome: Motion failed for lack of a second; no funds were authorized at the Feb. 5 meeting.
Ending Committee members asked for follow‑up work: several suggested the newly formed finance subcommittee examine options for accounting and fundraising, and members discussed convening a dedicated fundraising effort. The field remains installed and operational; the district will need a path to reconcile the accounting and any local funding commitments before closing the project in the books.
