Lakeville committee pushes earlier start to capital planning, cites $1.7 million free cash estimate

Town Administrator Andrew Sukhor opened the Nov. 24 meeting of the Town of Lakeville Capital Expenditures Committee by proposing an earlier schedule for capital planning so departments have more time to present and the committee can "nail down what we're gonna use for free cash" before operating‑budget season. "Our free cash was certified a few months ago at 1,700,000.0," Sukhor said, adding that new growth is likely to be in the $125,000–$150,000 range but remains variable.

Sukhor recommended holding at least two meetings before January — a working review, a final draft session, and a final approval meeting — and flagged that tonight's feedback could change the schedule. He said the goal is to avoid last‑minute shifts between capital and operating budgets as occurred in the prior year.

Departments then outlined project requests and priorities the committee will weigh against that free‑cash estimate. Sukhor identified a list of near‑term capital needs (facility systems reaching 20 years of life, major playground and park projects) and several items that staff plan to match with grants or CPA funds.

Committee members and finance staff discussed options for smoothing big ticket items over multiple years, including building capital stabilization reserves, short‑term borrowing, or staged allocations so purchases do not all fall in a single fiscal year. One finance member recommended incremental deposits to stabilization so the town can "earn interest in the meantime" rather than paying lease interest on long finance terms.

The committee agreed to schedule follow‑up meetings to refine the draft capital plan, assemble binders with department requests, and return for final votes in the winter; staff said timing will depend on free‑cash certification updates and departmental availability.