The Capital Budget Committee meeting on Wednesday night saw the approval of two key Water Department projects but was dominated by a lengthy and contentious debate over the proposed $18.3 million debt exclusion override to fund the new Public Safety Building at 135 King Street. The committee ultimately deferred a vote on the town's largest capital request, along with decisions on a DPW garage repair and a school bus lease.

Early in the meeting, the committee heard from Water Commission Chair Chris Pratt, who presented requests for a new fleet vehicle and funding for a crucial infrastructure upgrade. The committee gave its unanimous approval for both items. A motion was made by the chair to have approval for the purchase of an F-250 out of the operating budget of the water department for $63,645.80. After a second from Robert Kasameyer, the motion was approved via roll call. The vote was recorded as: Robert Kasameyer, Aye; Ralph Dormitzer, Aye; Susan Franklin, Aye; the chair, Aye; Cathy Forest, Aye. Motion Passed 5-0. The committee also supported the first phase of a multi-million dollar plan to modernize the Lily Pond treatment plant’s sludge lagoons, which date back to the 1970s. “This is a very big undertaking,” said Mr. Pratt, explaining that the full project is estimated to cost $7.2 million. “It's going to require several millions of dollars of investment in the future, and it starts with proper design and engineering.” A motion was made by the chair for approval of $420,000 out of water's retained earnings for the upgrade and expansion of the residuals management area at Lily Pond. After a second, the motion was approved via roll call. The vote was recorded as: Robert Kasameyer, Aye; Susan Franklin, Aye; the chair, Aye; Cathy Forest, Aye. Motion Passed 5-0.

The tone shifted dramatically during the discussion of the Public Safety Building. Interim Town Manager Michelle Leary presented the financing model, which asks voters to approve an $18.3 million override. This would add an estimated $480 annually to the tax bill of a median-valued home, on top of the $53 residents currently pay for the building's initial purchase. The proposal sparked a sharp debate, with member Ralph Dormitzer arguing vehemently against another override. “The town should absorb the cost. It should be a bond issue paid for by the town out of its operating budget. Then you'll get it passed,” Mr. Dormitzer warned, suggesting the current plan is “likely to fail.” The committee chair countered, questioning the feasibility of absorbing such a large cost. "I don't see how we squeeze a million dollars of operating savings out of our operating budget," she said. Other members shared concerns about the project's optics and cost. “This is a must-do... but this is going to be a tough upsell,” commented Robert Kasameyer. Cathy Forest worried about the long-term financial impact, stating, “I'm concerned that the overall public safety footprint being so large... I just worry that it means that in coming years it'll be more pressure on the operating budget.”

Police Chief William Quigley made an impassioned plea for the new facility, describing the current station at 62 Elm Street as non-functional and a detriment to officer retention. "We do not have a functional police station. We just don't," Chief Quigley stated. "We're at a level of insanity at this point. And you know, this has to be addressed." The committee also deferred votes on two other items. A $42,332 request from DPW Director Brian Joyce to replace failing trench drains at the town garage was tabled until a cost for repairing only the most critical drain could be determined. A request to re-appropriate funds from a failed electric school bus lease to a new diesel bus was also postponed. Susan Franklin highlighted the growing need for transportation, noting increased athletic travel distances. "We used to play people like in our in our general area but now we're playing people in like western Massachusetts," she said. The committee plans to revisit the deferred items at its next meeting on Monday.