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Capital Outlay Committee outlines FY26–30 priorities; library facade, school roofs and emergency vehicles highlighted
Summary
Town staff and the Capital Outlay Committee reviewed draft FY26–30 capital plans, flagging the Willits School roof ($3 million estimated), a $2 million library facade/envelope project, a ladder engine ($2.5 million) and continued multi-year water main cleaning/lining funding among priorities.
Town staff presented the Capital Outlay Committee’s preliminary five-year plan for fiscal years 2026–2030 to the Board of Selectmen on Aug. 12.
Highlights in the draft plan include a $3 million estimate for a Willits School roof repair (town share shown), a $2 million allowance to address the public library’s exterior envelope and water infiltration, and a request to authorize a new ladder fire engine (estimated $2.5 million) and additional ambulances because of extended lead times and heavy vehicle utilization. The plan also continues the town’s multi-year water main cleaning and lining program at roughly $4.5 million per year, paired with a $500,000 accompanying grant placeholder in the draft plan.
Staff described the library project as guided by a building-envelope study that identified leaking, failing pointing and energy-loss points: “This $2,000,000 as guided by a study … to repair the outside infrastructure,” the staff liaison said. The Capital Outlay Committee performed a site walkthrough and reviewed vehicle replacements during a “touch-a-truck” session; members will finalize recommendations for fall town meeting consideration.
Selectmen were briefed on timing: the committee planned to meet again on Aug. 26 to refine a capital package that would feed into the fall special town meeting warrant. Staff said large-ticket projects would likely be bonded and that final dollar amounts will be refined as design and bids proceed.
