NORTH ATTLEBORO – Replacing the roof at the Community School, a new track at the high school and new windows for the library are likely as a result of more than $3.9 million in certified free cash.
The town council Monday night approved using a significant portion of that amount to cover items that were originally intended to be paid by bonding at the annual town meeting. The move allows the borrowing capacity to be redeployed to other projects.
Town meeting approved bonding for capital purchases including vehicles, lighting, fire vests and helmets, a solar bathroom at the WW I park and more. Those and other items will now be purchased with a portion of the $3.9 million.
Acting Town Manager Michael Gallagher has recommended in the past that the town stop borrowing for cars and other items with a short life expectancy.
The council approved his request to rescind $1.2 million authorized in June and will hold a public hearing on Dec. 16 to use that capacity for the roof, track and windows.
In addition to the capital purchases, $400 thousand to fund the OPEB (Other Post Employment Benefits) account was approved.
The council rejected Gallagher’s request to place $1.1 million of free cash into the general stabilization fund. The move would have brought the total to approximately the five percent level of the town’s overall budget amount recommended by the state.
“Plans in town only work if we end up following them,” councilor John Simmons said in support of the move. “We have this opportunity to both rescind borrowing, handle capital projects, put money away and still have 500 some odd thousand dollars left over.”
Councilors opposed to the move felt it was better to assess other needs before placing the money into stabilization.
“The facts are that we are not pigeon-holed to have to do this right now,” Darius Gregory said in his explaining why he was going to oppose the recommendation.
Stabilization amounts are a key factor in determining a town’s bond rating. The next rating is expected to take place in March.
The council approved a contract extension for Gallagher through June. A similar vote was taken earlier this month.
The new extension provides language in the event a new manager opts not to have Gallagher stay on through the end of June.
“The charter is very clear that the town manager has hiring authority over any and all positions in the town, so by us making that appointment we were essentially cutting some of the authority of the town manager,” council president Keith Lapointe explained.
The contract was approved 7-2.
Monday’s meeting can be seen on North TV’s Government Channel: Comcast 98 and Verizon 23 and on northtv.net.
Click below to view highlights of the committee’s meeting.
