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Board approves budget amendment tied to FEMA reimbursements and authorizes bids for Brownfield sampling
Summary
The board approved a budget amendment to place FEMA storm reimbursements in the correct line items, discussed a culvert emergency repair funded from temporary general‑fund coverage, and authorized soliciting bids for Brownfield soil vapor sampling (estimated $26,000–$42,000).
The board voted to amend the budget to record FEMA reimbursements for storm‑related overtime and public‑works costs in the appropriate line items. Manager (speaker 3) explained the change during his report: “We really appreciate your service… we were getting reimbursements from… from the storm for overtime,” and said the amendment is to place those funds in the right accounts.
Chair moved the amendment to budget item 10 and the board approved the change by voice vote. The manager said the town had received FEMA money and they were “just putting it in the right place.”
The meeting also included a discussion of budget amendment 11 after an emergency culvert repair on Valley Street. The manager described a semi‑collapsed culvert that crushed a six‑inch line, emergency contractor work to stop the leak and forthcoming repaving. “The actual usage will be for this culvert,” the manager said, noting that the contractor and backhoe crews had to work in a confined, surgical area. The manager did not have the final contractor invoice at the meeting but offered a typical valve cost range of $8,000 to $11,000 and said overall fire debt‑service payments total more than $110,000.
A commissioner asked whether recreation spending tied to the amendment could be delayed until the board gathered community input; staff advised the board that funds could be appropriated but the manager could be directed not to spend them pending further direction.
Separately, the manager asked for authorization to solicit bids to complete Brownfield site work including soil vapor sampling, on‑site drilling, sampling, project management and DEQ correspondence. He said a contractor recommended one sample per acre (commonly two per acre) and estimated the range at $26,000–$42,000. A committee member moved to authorize soliciting bids and the board voted in favor. The board will review returned bids and consider award at a subsequent budget meeting.
Next steps: budget amendment 10 is recorded as approved; the board authorized bids for the Brownfield sampling and will return to the next budget meeting with bid results and a possible award recommendation. Final contractor invoices and exact costs for the culvert repair were not available at the meeting.
