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Temple CIP Committee recommends $299,825 in warrant articles including bridge fund, police cruiser, and Town Hall acoustics
Summary
The Temple Capital Improvement Planning Committee on Jan. 7 recommended seven warrant articles totaling $299,825 for the 2026 Town Meeting, including $120,000 for the Bridge Capital Reserve Fund, $100,000 for paving, and $20,000 toward a jointly purchased police cruiser.
The Temple Capital Improvement Planning Committee on Jan. 7 recommended a package of seven warrant articles totaling $299,825 for the 2026 Town Meeting, including major additions to the Bridge Capital Reserve Fund and the Asphalt and Paving Expendable Trust.
Committee member Tim Fiske reported that the town’s 2007 Massey Ferguson tractor needs a transmission rebuild estimated at $17,600; the tractor was previously rebuilt around 2014 for about $12,000. Fiske said the committee recommended completing the repair this winter and funding it from the Highway & Fire Vehicle and Equipment Repair and Maintenance Expendable Trust rather than replacing the machine, which a new unit could cost roughly $70,000.
Ken Caisse, the Select Board liaison, briefed the committee on a Select Board-supported plan to install acoustic materials in Town Hall’s main meeting room. The committee recommended a warrant article of $12,000 to pay for the materials after the board obtained a vendor quote of $12,000.
The committee also recommended adding $120,000 to the Bridge Capital Reserve Fund to build toward the anticipated reconstruction of the East Road Bridge in 2027; the fund’s current balance was reported as approximately $58,000. For paving, the committee proposed placing $100,000 in the Asphalt and Paving Expendable Trust for 2026 and future highway projects.
On recreation infrastructure, the Recreation Commission has not yet supplied an updated resurfacing quote for the town tennis courts. The committee recommended postponing a resurfacing warrant article for one year to allow for a more complete plan and to explore whether Highway Department staff could perform some prep work to reduce contractor costs. To spread the eventual expense, the committee recommended adding $10,000 to the $24,000 previously approved for the tennis court account; overall resurfacing costs were described as potentially in the neighborhood of $50,000 or more.
Gail Cromwell reported on a Greenville–Temple Police Department joint-board determination that a new cruiser would cost about $80,000. The police chief reported plans to apply $30,000 from the department’s detail fund toward the purchase, leaving Temple’s share at 40% of the net cost, or $20,000. The proposed police-cruiser article is contingent on Greenville passing a similar article to cover Greenville’s share of the vehicle.
The committee also recommended a $27,825 warrant article to replace the skid unit for the Temple Volunteer Fire Department and a $10,000 addition to the Highway & Fire Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Repair Expendable Trust. Committee members said the proposed package fits the CIP target of $300,000, with a total tax impact reported as $299,825.
The committee scheduled its next CIP meeting for Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 5 p.m. and noted that the town Budget Hearing is set for Feb. 12; all warrant articles must be finalized before that hearing. The committee adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
