Residents press school department and council about off‑site bus storage; city directs questions to RSU

Several residents raised concerns at the Finance Committee about school buses being stored off‑site and high maintenance costs; the discussion identified the question as belonging to the regional school unit (RSU) budget and facilities planning rather than municipal operations.

"Why aren't [the buses] back there?" Roger Gilly asked, arguing that previous practice stored buses at the municipal garage and that off‑site storage adds rental costs and complicates maintenance. Residents described higher repair bills and more frequent breakdowns since buses have been stored elsewhere.

City staff said the school department controls the lease and facilities for school buses and that the municipal garage does not currently have dedicated indoor storage capacity for the fleet. "I'd direct you to the schools," Speaker 1 said, adding that the council does not have line‑item authority over the school budget though the council does vote on the overall school budget.

Councilors suggested the school consider parking buses at school lots or the superintendent's office when leases lapse and noted creative options — including third‑party indoor storage near the ATV area — could be explored. Staff said they would raise the subject with the superintendent to explore cost‑saving or operational changes.

Why it matters: bus storage and maintenance affect school operations, taxpayer cost and winter readiness; lease choices affect both the RSU budget and municipal coordination.

Next steps: staff will raise the issue with the school superintendent and discuss possible options for storage, repair coordination and lease timing.