On September 22, the Board of Selectmen began its review of the ten year Capital Improvement Plan, with its usual emphasis on year one, which will be the 2027-28 fiscal year. The selectmen's review does not include the Board of Education capital plan, which will notably include planning for a new grades six through eight middle school.

In 2027-28, the town is planning $13.5 million in capital spending.

Finance Director Glenys Salas noted during her presentation that the goal for the first selectman's half of the capital improvement plan is debt moderation, no new bonded debt in fiscal years 2030 and 2035; fleet modernization, capital lease financing to replace aging vehicles; level funding, stable and predictable impact for taxpayers; and asset stewardship, essential repairs across community and recreational facilities.

The 2027-28 plan for $13,575,598 includes the following, paid for from six different sources:

Capital financing ($2,390,000): replacement of fire apparatus, $1,430,000; and three public works trucks, $960,000.

Capital & Non-Recurring Fund ($105,000): Town match of grants, $60,000; and Land Use sidewalk program, $45,000.

General Fund ($2,286,000): Safe Streets 4 All planning and demonstration grant project, $46,000; and capital road program, $2,240,000.

Grants ($1,194,000): Safe Streets 4 All planning and demonstration grant project, $184,000; and capital road program, $1,010,000.

Special Revenue Bonds ($980,000): Newtown Community Center Multipurpose room upgrades, $130,000; Parks & Recreation Treadwell Artificial Turf and scoreboard replacement, $850,000.

Bonding ($6,620,596): Edmond Town Hall electrical upgrades, $1,750,000; Emergency Management Center building upgrades, $270,000; Fairfield Hills, building remediation and demolition, $300,000; Land Use open space preservation, $200,000; library exterior upgrades, $587,000; Newtown Community Center new HVAC system, $1,225,000; Parks & Recreation, Treadwell Park lighting, $350,000; Public Works, animal control renovation, $348,000; Public Works generator, $300,000; Public Works window restoration, $250,000; and Public Works bridge restoration, $1,000,000.

Changes to the current version of the 2027-28 plan from last year's include:

Reductions: Fairfield Hills demolition reduced to remediation of remaining buildings, $2.2 million; NCC exterior shade structure moved to FY29, $270,000; Rail Trail pushed to FY33, $1,400,000; Treadwell playground pushed to FY29 ($500,000); Fairfield Hills Trail pushed to FY32, $485,000; and Regional Training Facility pushed to FY29, $425,000.

Added: Preliminary engineering for sidewalk program, $45,000; Supplemental funding for Community Center HVAC, $1,225,000; Treadwell Lighting & Artificial Turf, $1,200,000; SS4A grant accounted for, $230,000; window restoration, $250,000; new grapple truck for DPW, $270,000; other project cost increases to $332,500; and WSA subsidy for capital, $40,596.

During her presentation, Salas noted that when combined with the superintendent of schools’ CIP that included a grades six through eight middle school, the town's debt ratio is projected to exceed the eight percent set by the debt cap beginning in 2030, and would peak at 11% in 2032. Selectman Paul Lundquist expressed concerns over approving a CIP that would push the town's debt budget ratio beyond the cap.

"It doesn't seem right to knowingly say we approve the plan when we'll also include more than five years of non-compliance with the debt cap," said Lundquist.

Salas said that the school CIP was outside the purview of the Board of Selectmen, which was responsible for coming up with capital plans to best suit the needs of the municipal side of the plan. She also said that even if the town zeroed out any planned capital spending for 2028, the debt ratio would still exceed the eight percent cap for several years.

Salas said it was up to the Board of Finance and the Legislative Council to look at the capital plan from a holistic view that includes the Board of Education's side.

"The Board of Selectmen has no control over the BOE CIP projections and in my opinion [it] shouldn't be a factor," said Salas.

The selectmen did not review the remaining years of the plan and are expected to continue discussion and approve a plan on Monday, October 5.

The Board of Selectmen and Board of Education will present their respective CIPs to the Board of Finance on October 13, and it will then have until November 9 to review and make changes. The Legislative Council will be presented the combined CIPs by the Board of Finance on November 18, and will have until January 20 to approve a final plan.

Editor Jim Taylor can be reached at jim@thebee.com.