Committee approves $347,731 transfer to fix courthouse chiller underground piping

The Barnstable County finance committee voted unanimously to recommend a $347,731 transfer from the county’s capital stabilization fund to complete replacement of failing underground piping discovered during a chiller replacement at the first district courthouse.

Finance director Carol Coppola described the discovery: during completion of the chiller project, inspectors found the underground piping was failing or near failure; staff prepared an investigation and cost estimate and included documentation and photographs in the backup materials.

"It was noted that the pipes that are under the ground...could not be inspected prior to failing or have failed in the process of failing," Coppola said. Committee members asked where the appropriation would be recorded; Coppola said the funds would be placed in the county capital budget for administration/facilities to supplement the chiller project.

Delegate Frizzell moved to recommend the ordinance to the full assembly with clerical clarifications; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll-call vote, 5–0.

Ending note: The committee directed the clerk to identify the specific destination capital fund in the ordinance language before forwarding to the full assembly.