Lakeville Select Board approves FY26 capital program items including roads, website and public-safety equipment

The Town of Lakeville Select Board on June 2 approved a set of fiscal year 2026 capital expenditures, allocating funds for stormwater engineering, a website redesign, roadwork supported by state Chapter 90 funds, vehicle and equipment replacement for public safety, and facility repairs across town departments.

The approvals came during a special capital expenditures meeting at the Lakeville Police Station. Board members voted to fund an MS4 stormwater engineering contract ($50,000); a new town website (budgeted at $30,000); a police heating-system controls replacement ($40,000); police vehicle replacement and equipment ($128,000); and a third-year lease payment for a ladder truck for the fire department (payment recorded in the meeting as $175,000). The board also confirmed $667,000 in anticipated Chapter 90 roadway funding and approved additional road-related and public-works purchases, a transfer-station package using retained earnings, and several smaller park and facility projects.

Why it matters: These items set capital spending priorities for FY26 and assign money for maintenance and upgrades across public safety, public works, town communications and facilities. Several line items are based on estimates or prior-year balances and will require follow-up with bids or contracts before work begins.

Most significant approvals and context

MS4/stormwater engineering — approved The board approved $50,000 for MS4 stormwater engineering services. Town staff described this as a required program for tracking stormwater across town projects and for filing state permits; the town typically contracts the work out to specialized firms. The motion passed by voice vote.

Town website — approved ($30,000) The board approved $30,000 to replace the town’s current website, which staff described as outdated and hard to maintain. Staff said the proposed CivicPlus platform offers additional modules and administrative access for town staff and could include AI-assisted meeting minutes as a time-saving feature. Board members said the final cost may be lower after a working group defines required modules.

Roads and Chapter 90 funding — confirmed Staff noted a Chapter 90 allocation of $667,000 for roadway work in FY26 and described adding approximately $100,000 from town funds to that total. Board members said the combined funding will allow multiple road and sidewalk projects; staff also reported a healthy balance in the town’s unspent roadway allotment from FY25. The board voted to proceed with the roadway budget line item.

Library roof and other facilities — approved (amount not fully specified in transcript) The board approved replacement of the library roof, to be funded from capital stabilization. Bids have not yet been completed and staff described the current figure as an estimate. Because the transcript record of the exact dollar amount was unclear, the article reports the spending amount as not specified pending published meeting minutes or the town warrant.

Police heating controls and vehicles — approved The board approved a $40,000 allocation to replace failing HVAC controls at the police station; staff said the existing controls are outdated, difficult to service and nearing end of life. The board also approved $128,000 for vehicle replacement and equipment for the police department, following the department’s stated vehicle-replacement cycle.

Fire ladder truck lease payment — approved Board members approved the scheduled lease payment for a ladder truck (recorded in the meeting as $175,000), described as the third payment on a 10-year lease-to-purchase schedule.

Transfer station and park enterprise items — approved Using retained earnings for the transfer station (approximately $83,004.51), the board approved three projects: a compactor with equipment, LED light replacements, and building repairs. Under the Park Enterprise account, the board approved $12,855 for energy-efficiency improvements at Loom Pond Lodge and $15,000 for a new roof at the Ted Williams camp park office.

Other items and notes

- A $25,000 line for material removal at the DPW yard (described in the transcript as cleanup of legacy aggregate/contaminated material) was approved; staff said analytical testing will be needed to determine appropriate recycling or disposal methods. - An irrigation well and site work that had previously been on the list (about $75,000) was removed before the meeting; the Select Board said the project was deprioritized given other budget needs. - Several approvals were based on estimates; staff repeatedly emphasized that formal bids or additional vendor quotes will be sought before contracts are executed.

Meeting procedure and next steps

Many items passed by roll call; where the transcript records roll-call responses it lists the board members as voting in the affirmative. For items that were approved based on voice vote, staff confirmed the approvals will be reflected in the formal minutes and in the town’s capital plan documents. Staff said work on approved projects can begin once bids are awarded and required procurement steps are complete.

The Select Board concluded the capital expenditures meeting after approving the listed items and adjourning the session.