By Patrick J. McNally
ARTICLE 17 was submitted by Kellie Hebert, Town Administrator, with recommendations for approval by the Select Board, Finance Committee, and Capital Committee. ARTICLE 17 was Moved by Todd Chapman, Chair of the Finance and Capital Budget Committees.
As stated: To see if the Town will vote to appropriate $152,913.89 to fund the purchase and installation of lighting fixtures for the Town Common; to purchase Professional Services for project management, engineering or professional plan design services, and preparation of bidding and contract documents; to purchase construction materials or supplies; and for any expenses incidental and related to the project; And further, to fund said appropriation by transferring unexpended balances from prior year appropriations as follows:
FY2021 (Four items, $52,144.18): Underground utilities project, Animal Control vehicle, 1835 Building cleaning, Ford 550 plow truck & wing.
FY2020 (1 item, $22,775.38): 1835 Building sprinkler system.
FY2019 (1 item, $196.95): DPW Radio repeater.
FY2018 (2 items, $6,623.60): UHF Radio improvements and Paving repairs facilities.
FY2015 (2 items, $2,907.81): Fire Grant and rehab of 1984 Grader.
The sub-total for these 10 warrant items was $84,347.92.
A release of excess funds from the overlay surplus was also included. $34,600.06 for FY2013, and $33,965.91 for FY2014, for a sub-total of $68,565.97.
ARTICLE 17 authorizes the Town to capture funds remaining from the previous town meeting warrant articles, to close these accounts, and to transfer these sums to fund lighting installation, the purchase of lighting fixtures, to fund project management services, engineering or design services, to develop construction bid documents in order to continue the Town Common Improvement Project.
Professional services will be necessary to prepare bid documents, procure project management services and, if needed, to update any prior engineering or design plans. Construction materials may also be purchased only if the expense is necessary to advance any smaller components of the project, such as the permanent sidewalk repairs necessary after the underground utility project is completed by the Sterling Municipal Light Department.
All of the projects listed above are complete, and the sums represent inactive accounts no longer needed for the voted intentions of previous Town Meetings. The transfers will fund the Town Common improvement project without any impact on the Fiscal Year 2022 budget or increases to the tax rate. As well, this funding will maximize the Town’s ability to apply and provide a “match” of services or materials that can generate additional grant funding available from state and federal resources.
ARTICLE 17 was a majority vote (more than 50% needed). With a total of 116 votes received, 103 were in favor (YES) and 13 were opposed (NO). ARTICLE 17 was passed.