City Council approves capital project plan, water & sewer rate structure

  The City Council approved the city’s proposed Fiscal Year capital budget at its meeting on Thursday, June 16 prior to taking up the FY23 operating budget. The council approved transfers of just under $1 million to pay for the capital items proposed by Mayor Brian Arrigo.

  “This was unanimously approved in subcommittee under our Capital Improvement Plan,” said Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo, the chair of the council’s Ways and Means Subcommittee. “This makes investments in our police, fire, and capital works equipment. I believe it is needed, and it also provides $100,000 toward a library bookmobile, which I believe will be a great benefit for the residents of the community.”

  The full list of vehicles and equipment included under the FY23 capital plan includes $55,000 for a new vehicle for the mayor, $100,000 for a new police patrol vehicle and administrative vehicle, $175,000 for the replacement of outdated equipment and new cameras for the Police Department, $175,000 for the replacement of equipment and radios for the Fire Department, $25,000 for the maintenance of fire alarms, $25,000 for the repair and replacement of playground equipment, $35,000 for a new parking control vehicle, $25,000 for the maintenance and removal of trees citywide, $75,000 for a new DPW vehicle with a plow, $40,000 for a paving roller truck and $50,000 for a sidewalk snowplow. There is also $90,000 included in the capital plan for the design of drainage improvements at Point of Pines and Liberty Avenue.

  In addition, the council also approved a plan Thursday night that will stabilize the increase in water and sewer rates over the next three years using nearly $5 million in federal ARPA funds, water and sewer stabilization funds, and water and sewer retained earnings.

  Rizzo said the funding would limit the increase in rates to no more than 4.25 percent in any year over the next three years. “That does not mean it will go up 4.25 percent; it just limits the amount it can go up,” said Rizzo.

  City Finance Director Richard Viscay said the city will be looking at long-range plans to help stabilize the rates beyond the three-year term of the current plan.