Bridgeport committee reviews five‑year capital plan, debates East End school share and neighborhood priorities

Ken, a city staff member overseeing the capital plan presentation, told the committee the draft is a five‑year blueprint for major mechanical and infrastructure work and that only the projects listed in the first‑year column would be eligible for immediate bonding; he said the first‑year total proposed to begin in the coming year is about $25,280,000 and that out‑year totals include roughly $54,000,000, $41,000,000, $36,000,000 and $21,000,000.

The staff presentation emphasized timing: the committee adopts the plan as a planning document and the city would return in July or August with a bond resolution to authorize financing for the first‑year projects. Ken said the city normally issues 20‑year bonds to finance capital and noted the city currently spends about $90 million a year on debt service — roughly 15% of a $600 million budget — which he described as high compared with an informal nationwide guideline of under 10%. He added the pressure should ease in five to six years as older pension‑related bonds mature.

Council members pressed for more granular backup. "I can get that to the community — it's part of the backup," Ken said when asked which schools would receive specific asbestos, roofing…