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Board of Finance signals support to create BOE capital account to address maintenance backlog
Summary
Board members expressed consensus to pursue a Board of Education capital account for midsize and larger projects after receiving support from BOE leadership and the first selectman, but no formal vote was taken pending statutory review.
Board of Finance Chair Art Laske told the board Jan. 6 that the Easton Board of Education has chronically fallen behind on maintenance, and proposed establishing a separate BOE capital account to fund midsize and larger projects. Laske said he has agreement from Superintendent Jason McKinnon and BOE Chair Devon Wible, and that First Selectman Dan Lent agreed to include the request in his budget submission.
"For midsize projects — smaller than large, bigger than routine custodial work — the BOE has chronically fallen behind on regular maintenance," Laske said, describing the account as similar to the Park & Recreation Activity Fund model, where P&R requests funds and the Board of Finance authorizes spending for specific projects. Jill Madeo and Treasurer Chris Neary signaled support for pursuing the concept.
The board reached consensus to pursue the concept but took no formal action. Members emphasized the need to confirm statutory compliance and to clarify the respective responsibilities of the BOE and the Board of Finance before including a request in the town budget.
The board requested staff and legal review to determine whether a new capital account for the BOE is permissible under Connecticut law and, if so, how requests and approvals should be structured.
