CapEx Recommends Postponement of Town Hall Maintenance Article

By Kim Siebert MacPhail

At their meeting on October 23, the Capital Expenditures Committee voted unanimously to recommend “indefinite postponement” of Special Town Meeting Article 13: “Bond Authorization, Town Hall Building Systems Replacement.” The article, as written in the warrant, asks Town Meeting voters on November 4 to approve borrowing $2.975M for mechanical, electrical, and plumbing renovations on systems originally installed in 1987 that have reached—or are reaching—“the end of their useful life.” One major reason for postponement is “sticker shock,” or the difference between a preliminary $1.5M estimate and the revised $2.975 price tag that came to light during the design phase of the project.

If the Selectmen agree with the CapEx’s recommendation to postpone the article, they will make a motion to that effect on the floor of Special Town meeting. Once voters approve the motion to postpone, the issue can be reintroduced it at a later date, possibly at Annual Town Meeting in the March, when a fuller understanding of costs and funding sources— including utility rebates— can be reached.