The Annual Town Meeting authorized a $4,319,799 general government capital budget to address critical infrastructure and equipment needs. The plan includes a $1.2 million replacement for Fire Engine 1, along with upgrades for the fuel depot and IT infrastructure. Fiscal Advisory Committee Chair Alex Chin noted that while this is a significant investment, the town still faces nearly $9 million in unfunded or deferred capital projects, risking more expensive emergency repairs in the future.

Finance Director Mary MacKinnon clarified the timing of the large-scale purchases, specifically regarding the fire engine. She explained that due to manufacturing lead times, the town would not actually finance or pay for the $1.2 million vehicle for approximately three to four years. This strategy allows the town to plan its debt schedule while ensuring critical public safety equipment is ordered before current units fail.

The capital budget also allocates $500,000 for water main replacements within the Water Enterprise Fund. Officials warned that water infrastructure remains a significant long-term challenge, with future articles expected to address PFAS remediation. The capital budget required a two-thirds majority for the borrowing components and passed with overwhelming support.

Motion: [I move to approve Article 6, Motion 1, the General Government Capital budget.]

Vote: Passed 150-8