Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Select Board approves up to $4,000 for community ‘swap shop’ from recycling capital funds
Summary
After volunteers and local businesses offered in‑kind support, the board authorized up to $4,000 for swap‑shop setup, to be spent from the recycling center capital improvement or operating fund as available.
The Alton Select Board approved an appropriation not to exceed $4,000 to support a community swap shop at the recycling center and authorized staff to expend the funds from either the recycling/building capital improvement account or the solid‑waste operating budget, depending on availability.
A volunteer committee presented an itemized cost estimate for establishing the swap shop and reported in‑kind donations, including an offer from a local electrical contractor to provide wiring materials free of charge except for trenching. Committee members estimated a reduced total cost of roughly $4,480 including contingency after donations; the group requested town support for up to $4,000 while fundraising continues.
Board members discussed which town account should fund the appropriation and clarified prior legal guidance about the acceptable use of recycling dollars. After brief discussion, a motion passed to authorize the town administrator (Seth) to expend up to $4,000 from either the solid‑waste building capital reserve or the solid‑waste operating fund, and volunteers and local businesses will continue promised in‑kind work, including electrical supply donations and volunteer labor.
Staff said trenching and final preparations will require coordination with public works; a local contractor present offered to donate excavating work subject to insurance and a trenching permit. The board asked staff to coordinate volunteers, contractor insurance documentation, and needed permits before on‑site volunteer work begins.
