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Thomaston board approves NIPS-funded benches, three recycling bins
Summary
The Board of Selectmen voted to use NIPS funds to purchase seven Sterling Memorial benches for Seth Thomas Park (quote: $7,993.80) and authorized up to $3,500 for three combined recycling/trash bins at Nest/Nestroms; the board noted roughly $45,000 remained in the NIPS account.
Thomaston — The Board of Selectmen voted to use town NIPS (recycling deposit) funds to buy seven Sterling Memorial benches for Seth Thomas Park and to install three additional combined recycling/trash receptacles at Nest/Nestroms.
Mary Beth Johnson, who called in to the meeting, presented a Barco Products quote of $7,993.80 for seven benches, saying the benches are a key part of a broader plan to install about 15 benches across town, including Rotary and memorial benches. “I would really like to improve the benches throughout town,” Johnson said.
Tracy, a town staff member, told the board the NIPS account held approximately $45,000 available for eligible uses; meeting discussion noted the state’s guidance on acceptable uses is broad and sometimes unclear but that the town has used NIPS funds for trash and recycling infrastructure in the past. The board concluded the composite-material benches are defensible as an environmentally related purchase under prior local practice.
The board moved to allocate the funds for the benches; the motion carried. Separately, the board approved a motion to spend up to $3,500 from the same NIPS fund to place three recycling/trash combo bins at Nest/Nestroms.
Votes at a glance - Motion to allocate $7,993.80 from NIPS funds to purchase seven Sterling Memorial benches (Barco Products) for Seth Thomas Park: approved. - Motion to allocate up to $3,500 from NIPS funds for three combined recycling/trash bins at Nest/Nestroms: approved.
The benches will be engraved per the supplier’s quote and the Rotary Club may choose engraving for any benches it funds. The board did not specify installation timing; staff indicated placement and final engraving text would be determined later.
