$166K Capital Plan Approved to Upgrade Utility Plants and Replace School Bus
Key Points
- Funds design for water treatment sludge lagoons and a sewage plant asset inventory.
- Replaces a failed electric bus lease with a more reliable $22,682 diesel bus lease.
- Authorizes repairs for deteriorating trench drains at the DPW facility.
Voters approved Article 4, a multi-part capital improvement article focused on critical infrastructure and town equipment. Susan Franklin of the Capital Budget Committee outlined the projects, which include $72,000 for phase two of an asset inventory at the sewage treatment plant and design work for a new sludge lagoon at the water treatment plant. The sewage project is bolstered by a $120,000 state grant.
The article also addressed the replacement of an unreliable electric school bus. Franklin explained that the lease for the electric bus was terminated due to performance issues, and the town will now utilize $22,682 to lease a more dependable diesel bus for a five-year term. Director of Public Works Brian Joyce provided technical details on the water plant upgrades, noting that the current lagoons have become a "choke point" for operations.
Motion: Move that the Town vote to appropriate $166,682 for capital projects as distributed in the motions packet.
Vote: Passed Unanimously