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Board of Finance approves $37,552 appropriation to close roof funding gap
Summary
At its July 15 meeting, the North Stonington Board of Finance voted 4-0 to approve a $37,552 appropriation to cover a funding shortfall on a central-office roof repair tied to a 2023 STEAP grant; the board also approved June 3 minutes and discussed capital planning and a library loan timeline.
The North Stonington Board of Finance voted 4-0 on July 15 to approve a $37,552 appropriation to cover a funding gap for a central-office roof repair project tied to a 2023 STEAP grant.
Bob Carlson, who presented the request, told the board that earlier bidding returned one high quote of about $255,000 but that a subsequent round produced a low bid of roughly $241,000. Carlson said the STEAP grant would return $160,000 to the town if the project proceeds under the program and that the requested $37,552 would close the remaining local funding gap.
"So why not get a $250,000 roof for $75,000 is what I'm advocating for," Carlson said, arguing the town should accept the lower bid and use the STEAP grant to reduce local cost.
Chair Mike Anderson moved to approve the appropriation; a board member seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board had previously approved the minutes of its June 3 meeting by the same 4-0 vote.
Members asked procedural and safety questions during discussion. Carlson acknowledged the possibility of hidden costs once the roof is opened but said contractors could be required to perform pre-construction inspections. Board member Carl Johnson urged a mandatory walk-through to avoid damaging electrical or fire-alarm systems, saying the contractor should "make sure that they do a walk through to check the roof so we do not end up with screws down through electrical and fire alarm and items like that again." Carlson agreed to require a walkthrough prior to work starting.
Carlson also updated the board on other items: he has a preliminary, informal profit-and-loss summary through June 30 and said he met with the library director to discuss whether and when a loan will be needed for the library project; he will report back when dates are firm. The board discussed capital planning timelines, noting departments will be asked for capital requests in August with submissions due in October, and agreed to resume more detailed capital discussions in September.
The board set its next meeting for Aug. 19, 2026 and adjourned by unanimous vote.
