Burrillville adopts capital improvement program as dam, water and school funding loom

The Burrillville Town Council on Wednesday adopted the town's capital improvement program for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, after a public hearing and discussion that centered on funding uncertainty for the Harrisville Dam and water infrastructure projects.

The resolution, moved by Mr. Anderson and seconded by the vice president, passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. Town Manager Michael C. Wood and Nathan Seabier, chair of the town's Budget Board, presented the proposal and fielded questions from council members.

The town advertised a capital program totaling roughly $12,000,000 that includes projects funded from multiple sources; Mr. Wood said approximately $2,100,000 would be spent from town funds. Wood told the council the advertised figure intentionally includes third'party funding and debt service so the public could see the full scope of planned work.

"When we advertise, you'll notice we're advertising for $12,000,000 capital program," Wood said. "In essence, what we're spending out of the town funds is $2,100,000." He added that the town had applied for three federal earmark grants that could offset local spending, but that grant awards were not certain.

Budget Board Chair Nathan Seabier summarized the board's recommendations and said the group had been cautious about inserting capital items into the operating budget given uncertainties facing the school and municipal operating budgets. The board supported replacement of a failing waterline at the police station, three replacement police vehicles and remediation work on the town hall elevator; Seabier noted the elevator had since been repaired.

Council discussion repeatedly returned to two projects Wood described as "major issues": the Harrisville Dam and a broader water-distribution need in Nasonville. Wood said the town is awaiting a funding decision from the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank for additional dam funding and that the Nasonville water plan could be a much larger program with an estimated $23,000,000 potential price tag.

"If we don't get the infrastructure bank loan, the whole game just changed," a councilor said during deliberations, describing the dam as "the most critical piece of the puzzle." Wood told the council bids were in hand for the dam and that an additional $1.6 million to $1.8 million of funding would be required beyond current allocations.

Wood also described a school bond plan the administration is still finalizing and warned the council that proceeding with the bond as originally structured could force "severe significant cuts" to the fiscal 2026 operating budget, particularly affecting schools. He said the administration is exploring scenarios that mix reserve funds and deferred debt to reduce near'term operating impacts while preserving state reimbursement opportunities.

Budget Board Chair Seabier said the board recommended transferring a $336,000 balance from power plant funds into a major capital reserve for future needs, including possible dam work.

During the hearing the council closed public testimony after hearing no proponents or opponents. The council adopted the resolution as presented; the motion carried on a voice vote with all members responding "Aye." The record does not show roll-call tallies in the minutes supplied.

The council and staff said members will have another opportunity to adjust the capital plan when they finalize the operating budget in June; a councilor noted ordinances require initial CIP action now so it can be used to calculate the operating budget.

Details highlighted in the council's presentations include an advertised $12,000,000 capital program, $2,100,000 expected from town funds, three police cruisers recommended for replacement, $336,000 recommended for transfer from power plant funds, an estimated $1.6'$1.8 million additional need for the Harrisville Dam, a potential $23,000,000 water program for Nasonville and ongoing applications for three federal earmark grants (including the police station waterline and Spring Lake Beach improvements).

Town staff said some projects remain contingent on external funding decisions and on further council direction; the adopted resolution establishes the advertised CIP and permits later adjustments before the operating budget is adopted.

For more information the council noted the capital improvement program documents are posted on the town website and are available from the town clerk's office.