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Resident questions $2 million addition to Harbor Master building funding at pre-meeting briefing
Summary
A resident asked for clarification after the moderator said $2 million would be transferred from certified free cash to fund construction of the Harbor Master building; a committee member said the capital committee reviewed the item and clarified it is not 'free cash' that disappears if unspent.
At the pre-town-meeting conference, the moderator said Article 10 includes a capital supplemental funding item to transfer $2,000,000 from certified free cash into the town treasury for construction of a Harbor Master building.
Resident Rick Atherton asked for clarification, saying, "adding 2,000,000 to a capital item is a significant amount," and asked for an explanation of the project's total cost and the rationale for the increase. The moderator replied that administration would be the appropriate party to explain the underlying rationale and that attendees could either get details ahead of the meeting or call the article at town meeting to have the discussion on the floor.
A committee member added that the capital committee had reviewed the matter and noted, "This isn't free cash, so, you know, if they don't spend it, it's still there." The moderator and others encouraged members with concerns to either talk to staff before Monday or call the article for discussion during town meeting.
The conference also included other capital fund adjustments, including a marine department capital line increase from $603,900 to $627,090 and an added $850,000 sewer replacement item on Fairgrounds Road that raised enterprise funds totals.
