Belmont discusses capital reserves, generator for mill and structural concerns at fire station

Staff told the board there is roughly $400,000 in an unexpended 2023 fund balance that could be used to fund capital reserves for items such as heavy equipment, municipal facilities, and IT upgrades. Members discussed redirecting some of that balance to heavy-equipment replacement, use of auction proceeds to offset purchases, and whether to establish a formal contingency or capital-reserve fund as a warrant article for 2025.

Several board members proposed creating a contingency fund to be funded through the extended fund balance (no tax increase) and discussed how the warrant article would be presented to voters. Staff explained capital reserve accounts are separate warrant articles and that voter approval would be required for annual funding amounts.

Board members also discussed immediate facility needs after a report that the fire station is showing cracking and shifting trusses. Members agreed to pursue a structural-engineer review (RFP required) to determine the scope and cost of repairs rather than assume a small repair will suffice.

Separately, the board considered the fire department's request for new pagers but several members prioritized installing a generator at the mill as an emergency fallback location; staff noted ARPA funds could be used for the generator if constraints on available funding and commitment timelines are met. Members asked staff to gather quotes and schedule actions before the end of the funding window.

The board did not vote on creating new capital reserves at the meeting but directed staff to draft language for possible warrant articles and to obtain structural-engineering cost estimates for the fire station.