The Chairman of the Board of Selectmen said Tuesday he felt caught off guard by a number of capital proposals in the annual Town Meeting warrant, and that the townspeople hadn’t had the chance to properly discuss the proposals.

Article 4 on the warrant seeks to transfer $739,000 from the town’s free cash reserves to the capital stabilization fund.  Articles 9 through 15 then proposed to take money from the fund to pay for various capital projects around town.

The capital stabilization fund was established last year by the vote of Town Meeting. It was intended to be funded by a proposition 2 1/2 override that failed at the ballot box. This left the town with a fund intended to pay the costs of badly needed capital improvements around town, but no money.

“I’m concerned about following the plan,” Walsh said.  “The first year the plan was to put $250,000 in [to the fund] and to subsidize the debt.”

Selectman Theresa McNulty explained that the capital projects have been on the town’s radar for a while.

“The capital plan is something we’ve all supported,” said McNulty. “It is indeed something that is needed, all departments work hard to come up with things to fit into it.”

The capital stabilization fund is probably the only way to get the projects funded, she explained.

The fund will be set up so the projects don’t come out of the bottom line, explained Town Administrator George Samia.

“If all six or seven projects are worthy to put forward, why would we not want to put in capital stabilization fund that puts them in reserve?” asked Samia.

“This is a great opportunity for us, as a town, to prove it works, and that we can build trust to show there is something for everyone,” said McNulty. “It’s solid plan and provides mechanism for savings and projects, and it’s not going to affect the bottom line.”

McNulty pointed out the Town Meeting will have the ultimate vote.

Walsh is concerned that some of these projects weren’t presented to the public and that some of caught him by surprise.

“I personally don’t feel the public had enough involvement,” said Walsh. “I do represent people in town that I feel I made a commitment to.”

Selectman Peter Hamilton and McNulty voted to recommend Article 4, while Walsh voted against it.

Article 6 was also up for some discussion. The town came to the conclusion that the school needs $465,000 for mandated busing and that they would add $150,000 to for non-mandated busing totaling $615,000. The town would then add an additional amount at a special Town Meeting in October. This money, plus what the school district collects in fees, should cover the cost of busing for all students.

However, it turns out the $465,000 number, the school’s contribution is incorrect.  Because the warrant has already been approved, the amount will have to be amended on Town Meeting floor. 

See the article entitled “School cuts on the way” on page one for more information about the school bus budget.