North Smithfield planning board backs 2026–27 capital budget, urges leasing for copier equipment

The North Smithfield Planning Board on Thursday recommended the town’s 2026–27 capital request amounts after a multi-department review, while asking that two copier purchases be removed from capital and handled as leased operating items.

Chair (identified in the meeting record as the chair) opened the annual review and asked staff and department heads to summarize their requests before the board made a single recommendation to town council. Planning staff provided an updated spreadsheet of department submissions and noted recent last‑minute updates from the police department related to increased taser costs.

Ray Pendergast, director of public works, told the board the department moved a substantial road-improvement request into capital this year, proposing $1.5 million to continue road reconstruction beginning July 1. He said long lead times for heavy trucks and escalating equipment costs are driving discussion about whether to buy, lease or bond for large projects.

Eric Johnson, who identified himself as the North Smithfield Little League president, asked for $26,500 in capital to maintain three renovated baseball fields, repair dugouts and bathrooms, and address mold and lighting needs. Johnson said a full lighting overhaul from Musco Lighting had estimates between roughly $105,000 and $115,000; he and Public Works said they would pursue multiple quotes and possible grant matches.

Detective Steve Donovan, speaking for the police chief, summarized police capital lines including a proposed five‑year renewal of the Axon taser/service contract and the status of body-worn camera equipment (currently funded through a statewide grant that covers most agencies for roughly two more years). Donovan said license‑plate reader units would be permanently mounted in cruisers but can be removed and reinstalled as cars are replaced.

Fire Chief Dave Schottier said the fire/EMA requests are driven by equipment life cycles: personal protective equipment (PPE) has roughly a 10‑year lifecycle, self‑contained breathing apparatus cylinders and units come due on multi‑year cycles, and newer fire apparatus now exceed $1 million, requiring planning for replacement or bonding. Schottier also said radios will need replacement as the town migrates off older Motorola models tied to the current system around 2028.

Planning board members asked department heads detailed operational questions — including whether auction or trade‑in credits were reflected in vehicle numbers, staffing implications of in‑house equipment purchases (water and sewer), and the timing of grant opportunities. Staff and department representatives cited a pending DEM active‑recreation grant the town applied for (a grant program with matches and timing constraints); staff said that grant cycle alternates and the town’s match obligation would need to be included in the budget year when the grant is pursued.

After questions and discussion, board member [planning board member] moved that the board recommend the 2026–27 capital amounts as presented, with the finance and town clerk copier items moved from capital purchase to leased operating items. The board approved the motion on a roll-call vote: Dr. Benoit, Mr. Hammond, Mr. Porter, Mr. Menard and the chair all voted yes.

The board instructed staff to prepare a cleaner summary form of supporting documentation for future years — one-line bid summaries and vendor names rather than exhaustive binder copies — and signaled interest in exploring leasing for high-cost vehicles and equipment as a way to reduce short‑term budget pressure. The planning board’s recommendation will be forwarded to the town council as part of the budget process.