Scotland board approves up to $16.9 million bond resolution for bridges, Town Hall and public safety; special meeting set for Sept. 30

The Scotland Board of Selectmen voted Aug. 27 to approve a bond resolution authorizing up to $16.9 million for the design, acquisition, repair and placement of several bridges, Town Hall renovations and upgrades to the Public Safety Complex, and set a Special Town Meeting for Sept. 30 to consider the borrowing and other agenda items.

Treasurer David Zito presented the bond package, which lists the Bass Road, Northern Brook Road, Southern Brook Road and Gager Hill Road bridges as bridge projects, estimates roughly $3 million per bridge, and identifies Town Hall renovations at about $3.8 million and public safety renovations at $250,000. Zito said federal and state grants are expected to reimburse most project costs but the town needs short-term financing to pay contractors up front and wait for reimbursements.

Selectman Bart Laws moved to approve the bond resolution and Selectman Michael (Mike) Gurnack seconded; the motion carried. The board also approved a motion, moved by Laws and seconded by Gurnack, to schedule a Special Town Meeting on Sept. 30, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. for discussion and possible action on the bond resolution, a proposed blight ordinance, a speed camera ordinance and the purchase of a Department of Public Works tractor.

The treasurer and first selectman have met with bond counsel and a short-term borrowing resolution has been drafted to finance the capital work planned over the next two years. According to the treasurer’s report, reimbursements from state and federal grants have been received for portions of work to date, but the town faces cash-flow constraints while projects are underway.

The Special Town Meeting will be the public opportunity for voters to consider the bond authorization and related ordinances; the board did not set an outcome at the meeting beyond scheduling the hearing.

The Board adjourned at 8:19 p.m.