Town manager proposes moving small capital into operating to reduce reserve reliance; board probes $2.2M HS track and turf plan

At the Feb. 28 session the town manager outlined a multiyear change to how Simsbury budgets small capital items. Staff proposed eliminating the CNR fund for many recurring, small capital purchases and instead budgeting an annual operating allocation for these items while preserving CIP for larger construction and bond-funded projects.

Mark told the board the previous approach relied heavily on year-end surpluses swept into capital reserves, a practice the administration believes is unsustainable as debt service rises and grand list growth moderates. Finance director Amy explained mechanics: small nonrecurring projects will be budgeted in the general fund and closed after one year, CIP will hold construction projects, and pre-funded five-year payback items will be wound down.

The board also received a presentation from school staff on a proposed bonded replacement of the high-school track and artificial turf. Neil said doing track and turf together is more efficient and that the vendor's state contract price is being held pending a positive vote; the project estimate was about $2.1'.2 million with warranties discussed (track ~15 years; turf warranty ~10 years). Board members asked about RFPs, potential recycling or resale of removed turf, and lifetime costs.

What happens next: the town will continue capital-prioritization work under the new CNR/operating approach; the board asked the schools to provide further breakdowns and warranty details before any bonding decision.