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Sprague approves five appropriations and adopts C-PACE partial release
Summary
At a Jan. 25 special town meeting, the Town of Sprague approved transfers and appropriations totaling $1,778,077 across five items — including $1.3 million for streetscape improvements contingent on state funds and ARPA allocations for a truck and sewer repairs — and adopted a C-PACE partial release agreement that shifts billing and collection duties to the Connecticut Green Bank.
The Town of Sprague at a special town meeting on Jan. 25, 2023, approved five appropriation measures and adopted a partial release amending the town's Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) agreement. First Selectman Cheryl Blanchard called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M., and Town Clerk Jennifer M. Synnett read the call.
George Allen moved that John (Jack) Malone serve as moderator; Paul Copenhagen seconded and the motion carried by voice vote.
The meeting voted, by voice, to transfer $413,077 from the General Fund unassigned fund balance to the Capital Non-Recurring unassigned fund balance. The motion was moved by George Allen and seconded by Jane Desrosiers.
The town then approved a $1,300,000 appropriation from funds allocated under Public Act 22-118 for Sprague streetscape improvements. The article authorizing that appropriation specifies the expenditure is contingent upon receipt of the Public Act 22-118 funds and authorizes the First Selectman to sign any necessary documents. Jane Desrosiers moved the item; Paul Copenhagen seconded and the motion passed by voice vote.
Using ARPA funds, the meeting approved two separate appropriations: up to $250,000 to purchase a Freightliner 114SD equipped with a snow-and-ice fighting package, and up to $65,000 for repair and rerouting of the Town Hall sewer lines. Both motions were moved by Jane Desrosiers, seconded by Paul Copenhagen, and approved by voice vote.
The meeting also adopted a C-PACE Partial Release Agreement amending the town's original C-PACE Agreement dated Dec. 30, 2013. The agreement, effective March 1, 2022, between the Town of Sprague (the Municipality) and the Connecticut Green Bank releases the municipality from specified billing and collection covenants and obligations set out in Sections 3(e) and 3(f)(1) of the original agreement and authorizes the Green Bank to bill and collect benefit assessment liens in accordance with the C-PACE program guidelines. The agreement does not relieve the municipality of any obligation to forward funds it receives that it knows or has reason to believe are associated with a benefit assessment lien within 30 days of receipt; it also preserves the Green Bank's obligation to cover out-of-pocket costs the municipality incurs in discharging its duties under Section 3(g). The full text of the Partial Release Agreement is appended to the minutes.
All motions reported in the minutes were approved by voice vote. Vincent Chrzanowski moved to adjourn; Paul Copenhagen seconded and the meeting adjourned at 7:21 P.M.
What happens next: The streetscape appropriation is explicitly contingent on receipt of funds from Public Act 22-118; town staff and the First Selectman are authorized to execute related documents. The minutes indicate the full C-PACE Partial Release Agreement will be attached to the minutes for reference.
