A major highlight of the meeting was the reorganization of the Capital Planning Board’s leadership. Mark Cousy was appointed as chair following a unanimous vote. The position of vice chair was filled by JN Bikas, also approved unanimously. Carol Hof accepted the role of clerk, albeit with some hesitation about her ability to take minutes. Her appointment was confirmed with the understanding that her notes would align with those she prepared for the finance committee. This leadership reshuffle was seen as a step towards enhancing the board’s operational efficiency as they navigate complex budgetary landscapes.

The board’s discussions on budgetary considerations were compounded by a recent development involving the school committee. The committee’s unexpected withdrawal of a prior decision left board members puzzled about the financial ramifications for the town’s capital planning. This reversal necessitated a re-evaluation of the town’s financial strategy, as the planning board needed to account for the potential changes in available funds. The precise nature of the school committee’s decision and its withdrawal was not detailed, but the impact was significant enough to warrant immediate attention from the board members.

In their review of the five-year capital plan, the board scrutinized requests from various departments, including the Fire Department’s proposal to replace a 2007 engine. The discussion revealed some uncertainty about whether this engine was already scheduled for replacement, as there was confusion over whether two trucks had been ordered in recent years—one in 2022 and another in 2023. A notable concern was the impending price increase for these trucks, with a member noting that prices were set to rise on January 8, 2025. This prompted a conversation about the financial implications of ordering the trucks sooner to avoid larger cost increases, with the total anticipated increase for both trucks being $86,000.

The planning board emphasized the need for careful financial oversight, particularly in identifying unused funds from previously approved articles. Members recognized the potential for reallocating these funds to meet current needs. An anecdote was shared about discovering a substantial amount of unaccounted funds from a decade earlier, highlighting the benefits of thorough financial reviews and the potential for these funds to contribute to new projects.

The board also addressed logistical considerations for upcoming departmental meetings. To streamline the planning process, invitations will be extended to department heads to present their needs, with a focus on coordinating their availability for meetings scheduled on February 13, 20, and 27. The board underscored the importance of receiving timely responses from departments such as Highway, Water, Library, Fire, and Police to prioritize their capital requests effectively. This approach aimed to foster a collaborative environment.

A key aspect of these meetings will be evaluating the condition and expected lifespan of facilities and equipment. Board members acknowledged the necessity of assessing each request’s viability and long-term impact on the town’s infrastructure.

The meeting concluded with the scheduling of the next session on February 14. Members navigated some confusion regarding the specific dates, particularly about whether February 28 would be a Friday or a Thursday. The board remained committed to fostering effective communication and planning among departments, recognizing that a collaborative approach is essential to address the town’s capital planning needs in the upcoming fiscal periods.