Adams Planning for Upcoming Capital Investments
ADAMS, Mass. — Giving a sign that green pastures may lay ahead, the Capital Planning Committee met on Thursday for the first time in seven years.The committee is now tasked with laying out a five-year plan for capital investments. The eight-member group, appointed by Town Administrator Jonathan Butler, will prioritize major capital projects to advise town officials in future budgeting. During the recent economic downturn, the town essentially cut capital improvements out of its budget so the reformation of capital planning signals the dawn of economic stability.
"We're going to be healthy and if we're going to be healthy, we should have a plan," Butler said. "We've had three years of neglected capital."
Butler and Community Development Director Donna Cesan hope to have the plan in place by Jan. 1, 2013, for the fiscal 2014 budget process. The plan will not only direct the Board of Selectmen and town administrator on where to invest available funds but will also improve the town's chances at winning grants and keeping residents informed, Butler said.
According to Butler, a large amount of free cash is expected to roll into the 2013 budget, which will keep impact on taxes at a minimum and give the town flexibility to invest. Butler's budget is not yet completed but he expects to present it to the Selectmen in March.
The committee will have a crack at somewhere around $271,000 worth of capital improvements that Butler is considering putting in that budget. Money is eyed to go to the Department of Public Works, which has not purchased a new truck in three years, the Police Department, the wastewater treatment plant and the library, Butler said.
The committee's largest task, though, will be figuring out the Adams Memorial Middle School, the Discover the Berkshires Visitors Center and the Community Center. All three buildings will need work but their futures are in flux. The town is grappling with what will happen to those buildings; the committee will need to determine the right repairs once the town decides which ones to keep and what they will house.
The committee will update rating criteria and forms from 2005 for department heads to list their needs. The forms should be going out to department heads soon, Cesan said. The committee will also tour town buildings to get a better understanding of the needs.
"Your advice is going to be something that our board doesn't have the opportunity to do, to go out and really delve into these projects," Selectmen Chairman Arthur "Skip" Harrington said. "We're at a point where, hopefully, we can do some good planning for the community."
While the committee's purview will be mostly setting out the plan, Butler said he would welcome the members' expertise on ways to raise additional revenues for purchases and projects as well.
Tags: capital projects,
