PETERSHAM — The Capital Improvement Planning Committee is requesting $145,700 from Petersham for equipment for town buildings and vehicles.
The committee wants the money to replace the Fire Department’s hose and turnout gear, buy a new truck and sander for the Highway Department, install an accessible lift at Town Hall, and paint and repair the town office. The Highway Department’s truck would also need a plow.
The Petersham Selectboard met with the Advisory Finance Committee for a joint meeting this week with the Capital Improvement Planning Committee, Police Chief Dana Cooley and the Planning Board to discuss the projects and their budgets.
Dana Robinson, chair of the CIPC, presented project recommendations for Fiscal Year 2019. Of the seven reviewed, five were recommended for inclusion in the annual Town Meeting warrant for June. These include $5,000 for the replacement of the Fire Department’s hose, $25,000 for the replacement of the turnout gear, $80,000 for a new Ford 550 truck with a plow and sander for the Highway Department, $20,000 for a handicapped lift, and $15,700 of painting and repair for the town office.
It was noted that the new truck for the Highway Department did not qualify for Chapter 90 funding from the state.
Items not included were the replacement of a police cruiser and the repaving and landscaping of Town Hall. Nancy Allen, Selectboard chairwoman, said the board will meet this Friday at 5 p.m. to inspect the Town Hall’s north driveway and Town Office exterior to decide which project is in most need of completion.
Cooley met with the board and committee to continue the discussion around a requested increase for the Fiscal Year 2019 budget to add another full-time officer to the police force. Selectboard members said they would need more time to review the data and information pertaining to the request, stating Fiscal Year 2019 is not the time to implement a new officer. The Advisory Finance Committee took the request under advisement.
Fraser Sinclair, chairman of the Planning Board, was at the meeting to update the Selectboard on the Planning Board’s process to update the existing planning and zoning bylaws. No material changes will be made, said Sinclair, but the 40 pages will be edited for clarity and consistency. The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on the matter in May.
Also, a one-day liquor license was approved by the Selectboard for a May 22 event hosted by the North Quabbin Chamber of Commerce.
The next joint meeting is set for April 30 at 6:30 p.m. to continue reviewing the budget and town meeting warrants.