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Capital Budget Committee approves FY27 capital requests including police equipment and school technology
Summary
The Cohasset Capital Budget Committee on March 9 approved a series of FY27 capital expenditures and leases — including police tasers and vehicle replacements, multiple bus leases, 26 interactive school panels, and a bonded sweeper purchase — with most motions passing unanimously or by majority votes.
The Cohasset Capital Budget Committee on March 9 approved a slate of FY27 capital purchases and leases during a virtual meeting that ran from 9:03 a.m. to 11:04 a.m. Chair Susan Franklin led a line‑by‑line review of the FY27 Capital Budget Voting Spreadsheet and the committee voted on each request.
Chair Susan Franklin moved, and Robert Kasameyer seconded, a series of measures that passed the committee. Among the items approved were year three of a five‑year Taser program for the Police Department at $20,235 (approved 5‑0); the purchase of two front‑line police vehicles under the Police Car Replacement program for $139,000 (approved 4‑0‑1, with Chrissie Francona abstaining); and $8,500 for mobile radios to be installed in police vehicles (approved 4‑0‑1, Francona abstaining). "I move to approve the purchase of 2 front line vehicles under the Police Car Replacement program in the amount of $139,000," Chair Susan Franklin said as she put the item to a roll call vote.
The committee also approved several school and transportation requests: a year‑4 lease payment for eight diesel buses totaling $151,330 (approved 5‑0); year 2 of 5 lease payments for Bus 10 ($22,224) and Bus 11 ($22,682), each approved 5‑0; Year 2 of 3 funding for a Multi‑Function School Activity Bus ($22,034, approved 5‑0); and the purchase of 26 interactive presentation panels for Osgood and Deer Hill schools for $127,689 (approved 5‑0). In addition, the committee authorized a one‑time $46,500 laptop purchase for use by the schools and the town (approved 4‑1, Francona opposed) and funded $35,000 for school furniture replacement and $28,481 for performance risers, each approved unanimously.
Public‑works and library items cleared the committee as well. The body voted to bond the $339,835 purchase of an Elgin street sweeper with annual payments not to exceed $56,000 (approved 5‑0), and approved $20,000 for a towable variable message board to replace a nonfunctioning unit (approved 5‑0). The committee also approved $11,000 for an outdoor library book drop (approved 4‑1, Francona opposed) and $15,000 to replace the axle, tires and rims on a 1999 International truck (approved 5‑0). The minutes as drafted were deferred to the next meeting for approval.
The meeting record shows roll call voting for each motion, with members Cathy Forest, Chris Peisch, Chrissie Francona, Robert Kasameyer and Chair Susan Franklin recorded individually. Robert Kasameyer moved the final adjournment at 11:04 a.m.; the roll call vote was 5‑0 in favor.
Attendance listed Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary; Bronwyn Nelson, Library Director; Brian Joyce, Director of Public Works; and Sarah Shannon, Cohasset Public Schools Superintendent. The meeting minutes were submitted by Leontina R. Marcotulli. The committee did not introduce any items under "topics not reasonably anticipated within 48 hours."
