Selectmen approve multiple capital and ARPA expenditures, advance police-station and facilities work

The Board of Selectmen voted to approve several capital and ARPA-funded expenditures to address failing equipment and speed planned projects.

Members approved $51,369 to replace the failed HVAC unit in the Arts Barn auditorium so the community building and Madison Community Television operations can continue; staff said a purchase order will be issued after the board vote and contractors will complete the work by the end of the year. "We lost all the AC out of it and it's just not working," a presenter said, explaining why the replacement is needed.

The board also moved funds to advance the police station roofing and movement project, approving $98,497 to shift planning and construction earlier than originally scheduled. Staff explained the police station has multiple flat roofs past their design life and one roof is original; advancing the work avoids further deterioration.

For the Public Works yard, the board approved allocating $11,500 from plan reserves for a feasibility study to consolidate Beach and Brownstown functions on the DPW site and expand facilities. Staff noted a pending water-company relocation next year removes a major obstacle and allows a more cost-effective design.

Separately, the board approved returning $215,000 of project funds to the Capital Expenditures Master Fund as part of a CIP cleanup and reprioritization; board members praised facilities staff and the new construction manager, Ben Whitaker, for detailed review of the CIP.

Each measure passed on voice votes as presented.

Next steps include contracting for HVAC replacement, commencing the DPW yard feasibility study and scheduling roofing work for the police station.