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Capital Outlay Committee approves $2,587,592 budget, adds four administration-recommended items
Summary
The committee approved a $2,587,592 capital budget Dec. 17, shifting ranks to fund a replacement chipper, turnout-gear dryers, an electronic data shredder and two replacement mowers; the package will be presented to the select board Jan. 6.
The Capital Outlay Committee voted Dec. 17 to approve a $2,587,592 capital budget and to move four administration-recommended items into the funded list.
The chair called the meeting to order and reviewed two handouts showing funded and nonfunded capital items. Assistant town administrator Greg Ronsville described four items the administration recommended using a $150,342 remaining balance: a replacement chipper, turnout-gear dryers, an electronic shredder for secure disposal of hard drives and other media, and replacement mowers. Ronsville said the chipper in question is 32 years old and unreliable, and that having a backup for storm response is important: "This particular chipper is... 32 years old. It's not reliable." He said turnout-gear dryers would cut drying times, return protective equipment to service faster and help the department comply with NFPA 1851 standards for care and inspection of fire protective clothing.
Committee members discussed priorities and rankings. Several members said sidewalks are an ongoing need but that chippers are particularly scarce and valuable in storm events. Connie, a committee member, argued the electronic shredder is essential to avoid legal exposure if sensitive data were to be released: "Because if that gets out, there's all kinds of lawsuits that can happen." Agnes expressed reservations about the shredder's priority but agreed to adjust her ranking; others agreed to lower their rankings so the four items could be funded.
After the ranking adjustments, the chair moved to approve the capital budget with those changes. The motion (moved by Connie and seconded by Ken) passed; the chair announced the vote as 6–2–0 in favor. The chair said the approved package will be presented to the select board on Tuesday, Jan. 6. Greg Ronsville and Bill will prepare a PowerPoint for that presentation and will email materials to committee members once ready.
The committee also approved minutes from the Nov. 19 meeting (motion by Agnes, seconded by Tawny) by voice vote. The chair closed the meeting and thanked members for their work this year.
