Capital projects committee approves $482,106 in equipment and small capital purchases

The New London Capital Project and Equipment Committee approved a slate of 2025 capital purchases and small projects during its Feb. 5 meeting, adopting staff recommendations that total about $482,106 and leave an available balance of roughly $66,006 in the capital fund.

Judy, a finance staff member, summarized changes since the committee met Dec. 10 and said the capital fund balance rose after a recent transfer of $325,000 from the general fund. "So the blue highlighted ones are already approved," Judy said, and she noted the committee had originally budgeted $500,000 for capital projects in 2025 and previously approved $276,309 at an earlier meeting.

The nut graf: Committee members approved a set of individual motions to buy equipment and fund maintenance projects — front-loaded by a $300,000 plow truck purchase — and kept a modest contingency in the capital fund for unplanned needs.

Staff presentations and discussion Chad, a public-works staff member, reviewed the items recommended for approval. He said the plow truck replacement was brought forward into the current year (increasing the single-year expense to…