The Mattapoisett Capital Planning committee has begun meeting with department heads to more fully probe requests. The total amount of the town’s capital needs for FY24 stands at $10,791,000. The proposed spending includes: $55,000 for a new Fire Department SUV, two Highway Department reconstruction projects totaling $1,400,000 for Oakland and Pearl Streets (planned funding via capital debt exclusion) and $170,000 for a highway backhoe loader.
Also listed on the Capital Planning spreadsheet: Replace flooring at Center School $25,000 and kitchen oven for $19,500, security server $10,000, Old Hammondtown School’s fire panel $19,000, replace roof soffits and gutters $48,150 and replace window seals $20,000.
Mattapoisett Free Public Library is seeking carpet replacement on bottom floor $45,000 and historic slate-roof repair and restoration at $85,000.
Recently added to the Capital Plan are expenses and needs associated with the bike path. For FY24, those are $75,000 (grants being sought.)
A sum of $35,000 is proposed for a Town Hall feasibility study. Town Administrator Mike Lorenco recently told The Wanderer that although it’s been known for a number of years that the viability of the Town Hall building on Main Street must be evaluated, nothing has been done thus far. Lorenco seeks to fund a study that will evaluate the building’s condition and possible relocation. In the meantime, there are furniture needs for various town department locations estimated at $25,000.
Waterfront Enterprise capital needs are: $45,000 for new pilings (via grant), a harbor management plan for $30,000 (free cash), new dinghy dock $25,000 (free cash) and $20,000 (grants being sought) for new floating docks.
Listed for Old Rochester Regional High School are $24,000 for asphalt repair, $24,000 for floor-tile replacement and $23,000 for boiler-control updates.
On February 21, the committee met with Henri Renauld, Water and Sewer superintendent. Renauld said of the proposed Peases Point/Hollywood Beach sewer project ($3,100,000 via a bond) that 131 homes would be included in the program and to be accepted requires 66% of the homeowners to agree to betterment fees. He said that project is 75% through design and that a meeting will be planned to discuss the project with residents of the areas involved sometime in March.
Other capital projects proposed are the Oakland Street water-system replacement that will include replacing old cast-iron pipes with 8-inch PVC $510,000 (from ARPA funds pending Select Board approval), study of lead and copper in the water system $30,000 (grants to be sought), water-well updates $30,000 (grants to be sought) and village-area, water-main replacement $120,000 (debt exclusion.)
The Sewer Department is seeking $35,000 for station rehabilitation (grants to be sought) and $6,700,000 via debt exclusion for an Eel Pond force main, along with plant and piping updates.
Board of Health Agent Gail Joseph met with the Select Board to discuss the $75,000 capital need for reorganization of the Transfer Station. Joseph said that the goal is to continue cleaning up and organizing the site, “to make it more useful to the town,” including generating revenue. Joseph said she hopes to build an area for the collection of hazardous materials.
Currently available to residents are cardboard, glass and household-trash drop-off at no charge. Mattress, television and textile-collection areas have also been set up. Joseph emphasized, “The vision is to get it running so it makes a profit.” Last year, retained earnings were approximately $6,000.
The next meeting of the Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, at 5:30 pm.
Mattapoisett Capital Planning Committee
By Marilou Newell