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Budget committee backs scaled-back fire station plan, recommends bonding larger items
Summary
After reviewing floor plans and costs, the committee supported removing major one-year fire station improvements from this year's operating budget and recommended packaging larger items into a bond (including the station addition and other items); the committee set several CIP lines to zero to include in a bond.
The Waterboro Budget Committee reviewed a scaled-back plan for the town fire station and agreed to shift major one-year improvements out of the operating budget and toward a potential bond.
Presenter (S1) outlined a proposal to remove roughly $300,000 in fire station work from this year's budget and to present voters with a more modest bond in the neighborhood of $700,000–$750,000 to cover an addition and other prioritized work. "I suggest for your consideration and possible recommendation ... take these $300,000 of fire station improvements out of this one year budget and put it towards the bond," Presenter (S1) said. He gave a line-item walkthrough including two small shower rooms (not to exceed $50,000), insulation above the bay (not to exceed $65,000), converting chief and deputy offices to sleeping rooms (approx $10,000), and a 30×68-foot addition estimated between about $408,000 (at $225/sq ft, higher estimate $470,000 including finish and plumbing).
Members discussed alternatives including modular units and portable units. Committee member (S6) noted portability benefits and asked about the prior bond vote, which Presenter (S1) said was defeated by roughly an 11-point margin (about 2,100 to 1,700 votes previously). Several members favored reducing scope now and asking voters later. "I'd rather see it go to the voters, too," Chair (S4) said.
On a set of budget motions, the committee voted unanimously to remove specific operating-line items from this year's budget and to include them for consideration in a bond. The committee voted 4–0 to set line 507 (the $100,000 waterline item) to zero for the current budget and to include the hookup as bond consideration, while clarifying the town will still place a shorter hookup connection at the station if needed at substantially lower cost. The committee similarly voted to put other items (line 519) into the bond and to reduce the overall project footprint—removing three bays that previously accounted for roughly 62% of the original project square footage.
Committee members and the presenter emphasized planning for phased work and avoiding a one-year spike in the mill rate. Presenter (S1) said the reduced package would lower the one-year cost burden and let voters decide on a bond versus immediate operating expenditures. The committee tasked staff to provide bond packaging options and follow up with the selectmen before final voter referenda are set.
Next steps include drafting a memo to the selectmen with the committee's recommended bond approach and returning with updated architect/engineering estimates if the committee decides to pursue bonding.
