Finance committee approves $50,000 reserve transfer for cart-barn design

The Dennis finance committee on Sept. 11 voted unanimously to recommend a temporary $50,000 transfer from the town’s reserve fund to pay for design work for cart-barn renovations at the Highlands and the Pines, the department head said.

Mary Ellen, a department head who presented the request, said the town originally appropriated $500,000 at the May 2024 town meeting for a Highlands cart-barn renovation but that the town would save money by hiring one designer to produce plans for both facilities. "So what we're asking for is a temporary, reserve fund transfer of $50,000 to go into that same fund that was designated for the Highlands cart barn," she said, adding that the Pines project would be placed on the capital plan for the May 2025 town meeting and the $50,000 would be repaid if voters approve the Pines appropriation.

Mary Ellen said the buildings are largely shells with the primary construction need an electrical upgrade, and that combining design work could reduce costs and allow both projects to be constructed, ideally before the April 2026 season begins. She cited a recent meeting with Greg Roundsville, assistant town manager, about the procurement approach.

A committee member raised concerns about using reserve funds as a short-term loan for planned work, saying the reserve is "for unforeseen and extraordinary circumstances," and asked for assurance the $50,000 would be repaid if the Pines appropriation fails. Mary Ellen responded that, should the Pines appropriation not be approved, the town would repay the transfer from the original Highlands appropriation already on hand.

After discussion, a committee member moved to recommend the $50,000 transfer for design services for cart-barn renovations at Dennis Pines and the Highlands; another member seconded the motion. The committee passed the recommendation by unanimous voice vote.

The committee then moved on to review special-town-meeting warrant articles.