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Selectmen discuss CRFs for paving and equipment, and approve planning for a building‑and‑zoning pickup replacement
Summary
Selectmen reviewed highway, building, library, recreation and technology CRFs and discussed replacing an aging building-and-zoning pickup, while affirming the town’s plan to set aside $200,000 annually for highway equipment.
The board reviewed multiple capital reserve fund (CRF) and expendable trust fund (ETF) requests and small capital purchases.
Highway: Selectmen described a long-term plan to contribute $200,000 annually to the highway equipment CRF. Presenters said the town’s chipper is from the late 1980s and will likely be replaced; the CRF will build toward a $120,000–$130,000 purchase of a new six-wheeler or comparable machine. The current paving program was described as successful: a $600,000 appropriation allowed multiple roads to be paved with adequate leftover funds for shoulders and striping.
Government buildings and library: The board discussed continuing modest contributions to a government-building ETF and a library CRF intended for future improvements and deferred maintenance; speakers emphasized that $100,000 does not go far for major building repairs and that the town has multiple aging buildings.
Technology: Staff proposed continuing a technology ETF to build toward server replacement and large hardware contingencies; presenters noted a server replacement can exceed $40,000 and that warranties and lifecycle planning were factors.
Building-and-zoning vehicle: The board discussed replacing an aging building-and-zoning pickup; presenters said an appropriate replacement was estimated at about $39,000 and that they planned to add $5,000 to secure an extended warranty. Presenters also said the zoning department has been net revenue positive on fees and the department should have a dedicated vehicle for inspections and fieldwork.
No final appropriations were approved; selectmen asked for estimates and timing to be returned as part of the capital plan and warrant-article process.
