Council approves series of capital purchases from surplus and landfill funds, including plow truck and police vehicle

The town council approved a set of appropriations for parks, public works, emergency services and public safety during a package of votes at the meeting.

From the landfill-settlement fund, the council approved an appropriation of $66,760 to pay for park signage, amenities, repairs to the Lynn Deming bathhouse, and a water fountain/bottle filler. Dan Calhoun, speaking for Parks and Recreation, said the town plans a unified signage scheme for the town's 20 parks: "We're asking for signs for each of the parks, and we're gonna come up with a scheme that is in all the parks," he told the council.

A larger surplus-funded package was introduced and voted on in pieces. Highlights included a $6,000 security camera upgrade at Lynn Deming, $18,125 to replace the ambulance barn's HVAC controller (Arnie Meis explained the current system runs on unsupported Windows 7), and $74,069.77 to purchase a replacement police SUV fully outfitted. The council also approved a $300,000 six-wheel plow truck; Public Works Director Jack Healy said trucks now cost substantially more and the town's capital plan targets replacing one or two trucks a year to avoid operating older, costly-to-maintain vehicles.

Other approved items included a $120,000 undercarriage wash system for the public-works wash bay to reduce corrosion and extend vehicle life, $50,000 pickup and facilities vehicles and up to $42,000 to replace the deputy fire marshal's vehicle. Councilors questioned why some purchases were funded from surplus rather than the operating budget; the mayor said using surplus avoids an additional tax increase and reflects the town's five-year capital plan.

All appropriation votes passed on voice votes and recorded ayes during the meeting; exact tallies were recorded in the minutes for each motion.