Northborough has "relatively few projects" planned for FY2014, according to Town Administrator John Coderre, who detailed the potential capital plans at a recent Board of Selectmen meeting.
The town is seeking approval at Town Meeting for capital projects totaling $1.5 million.
One investment would go toward the purchase of a new air compressor replacement for air packs for the Fire Department, and another $28,000 is set aside for an emergency trailer. The trailer, said Coderre, would be stocked with cots and ready to shelter up to 100 residents in the case of an emergency.
"This was an outgrowth of the emergency planning process," said Coderre. "I'm excited to bring this to town meeting."
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As part of the DPW restructing and upgrade project, $800,000 would replace the large salt shed located at the back of the building. The original shed dates back to 1986 and is in a state of disrepair. Salt is required to be kept undercover, and replacement of the shed has been "part of the capital plan for the last six years, and it's up for funding."
Also at the DPW, the fuel island is in need of replacement, which would cost the town $425,000.
"We had an engineering firm look at the site," said Coderre, "and it turns out that it is significantly short when it comes to underground storage tanks. There are issues and requirements."
Originally, the cost for the fuel island totaled $356,000, but increased as a result of needing to move the fuel tanks above ground.
Lastly, the town is asking to approve $203,500 to replace a front-end loader.
"We've been successful in the last two years in doing investments without a tax impact," said Coderre. "The vast majority of this—$1.3 million— will be funded with free cash, and the rest is repurposed bond proceeds. The long and short of it is we will be able to do all of this with no additional tax impacts. It's been reviewed and recommended by the Financial Planning Committee."
Town Meeting this year is Monday, April 22, at 7:30 p.m. at Algonquin Regional High School.