Permanent Building Committee’s Report of the Condition and Need Assessment of Town Buildings
On September 18, the Board of Selectmen held a joint meeting with the School Committee, the Capital Improvement Committee and the Appropriations Committee, to discuss the Permanent Building Committee’s Report of the Condition and Need Assessment of Town Buildings and the development of the town’s Capital Asset Management Plan. The town’s new Finance Director, Christopher Ketchen, also presented a Fiscal Analysis of the Permanent Building Committee’s report.
Key finding of the Permanent Building Committee’s Report of the Condition and Need Assessment of Town Buildings:
- Three of the 17 buildings evaluated did not meet the current needs of the town; they are: Center School, the Public Library, and the DPW Facilities.
- For buildings not meeting the town’s need no projects are recommended for repair, expansion or replacement. These buildings should be continuously monitored to ensure the health and safety of the public and/or town personnel is maintained until the Town determines the final future plans for these buildings.
- For buildings that meet the town’s current needs, the Elmwood School roof is the largest project, at an estimated cost of $1,100,000-$1,400,000.
- Other buildings that meet the town’s current needs have smaller projects that will need to be done within the next couple of years, totalling about $1,110,000. Projects include, Town Hall building envelope repairs, and an emergency generator for Hopkins School.
- Click here to View the Report of the Condition and Need Assessment of Town Buildings
Key findings of the Fiscal Analysis of the Permanent Building Committee’s report:
- The town’s total debt service is expected to decline starting with FY15 (2014-15), so some new debt could be taken on at that time without increasing the tax rate.
- Many of the smaller projects needed could be funded as “Pay As You Go” capital projects.
- Click here to View the Fiscal Analysis of the Permanent Building Committee’s Report