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Select Board trims capital list, debates linking capital items to staffing decisions
Summary
Select Board reviewed a reduced capital list (roughly $1.45 million) and discussed sequencing and dependencies—particularly the fire deputy chief vehicle tied to a pending staffing article—and debated leasing vs. buying for heavy equipment.
The Select Board reviewed the draft fiscal‑year capital warrant on March 4 and reported a reduced total from an initial list of over $3 million to $1,447,000 after items were deferred, moved to later years or shifted to chapter 90 funds.
Kathy (Capital Committee liaison) and Jason Llanoski walked the board through the remaining requests. Highlights include a $100,000 design study for the Trottier roof (to protect an MSBA-eligible project and preserve a partial grant), a $50,000 interior package for the Flag School to ready space for Youth & Family Services, DPW equipment requests, and school infrastructure items. Departments had adjusted requests after Capital meetings; some items were moved to FY27 or removed when grant or chapter 90 funding could cover them.
Nut graf: The board discussed procedural and fiscal linkages: several capital requests interact directly with operating- or personnel-article outcomes. The fire chief’s request for a deputy chief position includes a capital element—a vehicle—and board members debated whether to present the position and the vehicle as a combined package or separate them so town meeting could approve staffing and capital independently.
Select Board members urged clear packaging so voters see total costs. Jason Llanoski advised packaging capital tied to a personnel change with the operating article that creates the position to avoid confusing, partial approvals. Board members signaled the deputy position might be presented in the operating budget with the vehicle and other capital either linked or provided as an asterisked contingent item.
Members also discussed equipment leasing for DPW and utilities (a front-end loader and other utility equipment). Capital Committee members acknowledged past concerns that leasing can push costs into future years and said the committee would prefer a consistent leasing policy rather than ad hoc use.
The Capital list also noted that some crosswalk flashing-light installations will be covered from chapter 90 funds or by private schools paying for installation; the earlier $150,000 request was removed after Department of Public Works re-estimated costs.
Ending: Capital will finalize its recommendations at an upcoming meeting so the Select Board can sign the warrant by the posted deadline. The board reminded residents that vacancies remain on Capital and urged volunteers to participate in prioritization ahead of tough choices.
