Town Council Approves $2.12 Million in Capital Improvements

With an eye on the its 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan, North Branford Town Council members approved a total of $2.12 million in new bonding that will used to fund a variety of much-needed projects throughout the town.

The bonding was unanimously approved at the council's regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday night.

The projects approved include:

• Narrowbanding for North Branford Police - $300,000
• Narrowbanding for Public Works - $20,000
• Reeds Gap Road Tower improvements - $50,000
• Public Works Complex/Sander Building - $550,000
• North Branford High School roof - $1.2 million

During Tuesday's meeting, Interim Town Manager Bonnie Therrien noted that both the narrowbanding project — which will create new channels on the radio spectrum — as well as the tower improvements, were required as part of state or federal government mandates.

Next Steps

The projects will now go before the Planning & Zoning Commisson for their review and recommendation. Once back in front of the council, members will then give the improvements their final OK.

In the meantime, the State Bond Commission will draw up bond resolutions, which will then be presented to the council for approval next month.

Other Town Projects Approved

In addition, town council members also approved three other town projects, which will be funding through closed out capital improvement projects.

Those improvements include:

• Fixing a portion of the town hall's heating & cooling units - $6,000
• Repairing roof over Town Clerk's vault - $1,250
• Resurfacing tennis courts for intermediate school & Northward Park - $40,000

Projects Not Approved

Two proposed capital improvement projects that were on the list for possible approval were removed from inclusion in this latest round of town bonding.

Those projects include $112,700 for the police station architect and $60,000 for a new boiler for the Reynolds-Beer Home.

Council members said they felt the quoted cost for the boiler's replacement was far too high, and that the town was not ready to move ahead on hiring an architect for the police station.