Claremont
The plan includes about $2 million in bond payments.
The City Council got its first look at the department requests during Wednesday night’s council meeting, but did not discuss them in detail.
Finance Director Mary Walter said the plan, approved by the Planning Board, contains items that the departments will be seeking in their budgets when the city budget is presented early next month.
Not all of the requests will win council approval, but one certainty, according to City Manager Guy Santagate, is the Lower Main Street reconstruction project.
“Main Street will get done this year,” Santagate said.
The work will include new water, sewer and storm drain infrastructure, road repaving, and new sidewalks and curbing.
The net cost of the capital requests for next year is just over $2 million, due to offsetting revenues of about $1.6 million. If all the projects and equipment purchases were approved, it would add $2.95 to the city’s tax rate.
Walter called the plan a “working document” that can serve as a companion to the city’s master plan, as well as help the city when it seeks grants.
Mayor Charlene Lovett suggested the city apply for Land and Community Heritage Investment Program grants from the state. The money can be used for restoration and renovation of cultural and historic resources. The city’s opera house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes city hall, has several needs on the capital improvement plan. Among them are window replacement, repointing brick and handicap access.
There is about $131,000 in recommendations in the capital improvement plan for city administration and facilities. Those recommendations include replacing the main heating, ventilation and air conditioning units on the roof ($46,000); and engineering plans for staff bathrooms and public access bathrooms ($25,000).
Lease payments on replacements for three fire trucks, a police cruiser and several public works vehicles are in the plan with most, but not all, listed as committed, meaning they are part of an existing contractual agreement.
The Parks and Recreation Department is requesting $20,000 for ongoing lease payments on equipment at the community center and replacement of a passenger bus.
Patrick O’Grady can be reached at pogclmt@gmail.com.
