The board’s conversation revolved around the acquisition of a new street sweeper, a componet in the town’s public works operations. The sweeper’s role is vital in managing stormwater and ensuring compliance with MS4 permits that require regular street cleaning to remove sediment. The existing street sweeper, purchased in 2016, is nearing the end of its operational life, prompting discussions on whether to invest in a new unit or overhaul the current one for backup use. The town engineer explained that the sweeper is essential for post-water main break cleanups and preparing streets for paving.

Members weighed the cost-effectiveness of maintaining the older sweeper, considering the potential trade-in value and the cost of renting a backup unit if the old sweeper failed. The town engineer warned that the old sweeper could be unreliable due to its age, raising concerns about the timing of purchasing a new one, which could take approximately 90 days for delivery, impacting street cleaning schedules.

The board also explored the broader capital outlay budget, totaling $843,000, which includes funding for the public works, police, and fire departments. Concerns were raised about the clarity of budget presentations and the distribution of funds across various departments. The police department’s budget, which proposed a 9.2% increase, was particularly scrutinized due to staffing challenges and the addition of a new officer role dedicated to community impact. The fire department’s budget discussions highlighted similar staffing needs and the expiration of federal grants that previously funded additional firefighter positions.

In addressing the fiscal challenges, the board considered strategies to optimize the use of available funds, emphasizing the importance of balancing budgetary constraints with the need for adequate staffing and resources. The police chief detailed efforts to maintain staffing levels and the potential expansion of the department to address growing demands, including the implementation of a community impact officer role. The fire department’s budget discussions focused on salary increases, the impact of federal grants, and the rising costs associated with vehicle maintenance and fuel.

The public works budget discussions highlighted the need for efficient resource allocation, with specific attention to snow and ice removal expenses and the implications of projected increases in contract cleaning services. The board acknowledged the importance of conservative budgeting practices, considering historical data to project future needs and prevent potential deficits.

The meeting also addressed the town’s power supply budget and surplus funds related to the municipal light plant. The board noted a surplus of approximately $4.4 million due to overcollection in the previous fiscal year, with plans to return these funds to ratepayers as mandated by the Department of Public Utilities.