Deep River committee flags funding update and lawyers guidance limiting referenda uses for site purchases

The Deep River Firehouse Building Committee told members it must provide the Board of Finance with an updated burn-rate schedule to support project budgeting and noted legal guidance that could limit how referendum funds may be used for site acquisition.

During the March 17 meeting Vice Chair Miriam Morrissey said she would contact Doak-Jones to follow up on correspondence from Town Attorney Marsh that, according to the minutes, "referendum funds cannot be used to purchase alternative sites." Committee members recorded concern that the restriction would constrain site-selection options and asked for clarification before pursuing alternate-site purchases.

Why it matters: How the town can legally use referendum-authorized funds affects whether the project can purchase an alternate site with voter-approved money or must rely on other funding mechanisms. The Board of Finance has asked for a burn-rate schedule so it can evaluate cash flow needs as design work proceeds.

What happens next: Morrissey will seek legal clarification from Doak-Jones regarding the Town Attorneys correspondence; the committee will prepare the requested burn-rate schedule for the Board of Finance. No formal change to project scope or funding was recorded at the meeting.

Provenance: The funding update and the reported legal constraint were discussed in the committees March 17 minutes.