For the purposes of this article, the following
terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
A.
A schedule of all future capital improvement
projects proposed to be carried out during a five-year period, the
first year being the capital improvement budget and the four ensuing
years being the long-range capital improvement plan. Requested capital
items are listed in order of priority, together with cost estimates
and the anticipated means and sources of financing each project.
B.
The capital improvement program shall be updated
annually, coinciding with the development of the Town's annual operating
budget, and is subject to change with each update.
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
A.
Major projects or purchases undertaken by the
Town that generally do not recur on an annual basis. Improvements
that are the type of project or acquisition that require bonding or
multiyear funding, to include:
(1)
Purchase of major items of equipment having
an anticipated life expectancy of three or more years.
(2)
Acquisition or lease of land.
(3)
Construction of new buildings or facilities,
including engineering, design and other preconstruction costs.
(4)
Improvements or additions to existing buildings
or facilities, not including annual replacements or items of routine
maintenance and repair.
B.
Improvements shall have a minimum cost in excess
of $49,999. Expenditures for projects that meet the threshold are
considered capital items, and those below it are considered operating
items. The dollar threshold for capital items is to be increased by
4% every three years. A capital item must stand alone, that is, like
items may not be bundled into one project to meet the minimum cost
threshold.
Not later than October 1 of each year, the following
Town agencies and officials may submit requests for capital improvement
projects to the Town Manager:
F. Department of Public Works.
M. Any other department, agency or official having need
for capital acquisition, including study and building committees as
may be appointed by the Town Council.
In evaluating requests and recommending a capital
improvement program, the Planning Board shall establish a priority
for all projects, based on the following criteria:
B. Maintenance of the public health.
D. Provision of necessary public services.
E. Replacement or improvement of obsolete facilities.
F. Reduction of operating costs.
G. Provision of public recreation.
H. Social, cultural or aesthetic values.
I. Conservation of resources.
The Planning Board and the Town Manager, with
the assistance of the Finance Director, shall review the requests
with respect to the financial resources of the Town and shall prepare
a schedule showing the effect of requested projects upon the current
annual budget and the future debt and debt service charges for the
Town.
An annual inspection shall be conducted of all Town property and equipment that is subject to the Capital Improvement Program. The inspection team shall consist of the following officials or their designees: the Town Manager, the Superintendent of Schools, a Planning Board representative, and administrators of departments participating in the Capital Improvement Program. Results of this annual inspection shall be compiled into a summary report to be submitted to the Town Council, the Planning Board, the Board of Finance, the School Committee, and all participating departments. This annual inspection shall be completed prior to the deadline for submission of capital improvement requests as specified in §
22-28.
At the request of the Town Manager, any expenditure
for capital improvements or equipment declared to be in the nature
of an emergency shall by majority vote of the Town Council be exempt
from the provisions of this chapter.