By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The town’s capital budget for fiscal year 2026 totals $1,197,500, Town Administrator Rob Dolan said during a recent Select Board meeting.
“The capital budget is made up of one-time revenues, and not ongoing revenues,” said Dolan. “If you have one-time revenue such as a sales bonus or a tax return, what might you do? You might do something to the kitchen, put on a new roof or invest something in your house for one-time things. That is the same thing for a town. Although this capital budget is significantly less than previous years, reflecting our need to fund operations, we still have a modest program.”
Similar to previous years, Dolan has proposed appropriating $300,000 for the Department of Public Works’ road construction program in FY26. The $300,000 for road construction will be supplemented with what the town receives in Chapter 90 funding from the state for road construction.
The proposed capital budget would also award the DPW $50,000 for drainage improvements and $25,000 for the second year of a five-year school bus lease. The DPW would also receive $18,500 for custodial equipment.
The School Department will be receiving $250,000 for school technology in the FY26 capital budget instead of $650,000 included in the proposed $4.65 million override if the proposal gets voted down during Spring Town Meeting on Tuesday, April 29 and/or a Special Town Election on Wednesday, June 4.
Dolan said during the recent Select Board meeting that the FY26 capital budget includes $60,000 for a police cruiser, which is less than the three cruisers Police Chief Nick Secatore requested for FY26. Dolan said the FY26 capital budget also seeks to award the Police Department $50,000 for networking and computer equipment.
The capital budget also seeks to purchase a new Chevrolet Tahoe SUV for the Fire Department that Dolan said would serve as a “medical vehicle,” totaling $70,000. The town did not fund Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis’ proposal to appropriate $250,000 in order to refurbish the 18-year-old Ladder 1 or $55,000 to rebuild Engine 1’s motor.
Dolan said the FY26 capital budget would award the Planning and Conservation Department $30,000 to treat algae at Pillings Pond. He also proposed allocating $20,000 to the Planning and Conservation Department to match a state grant for Willis Woods on upper Main Street.
“It is a significant grant that we received from the state,” said Dolan.
Dolan has incorporated $46,000 for a Town Hall server upgrade into the FY26 capital budget.
“It is a modest investment for town technology,” said Dolan.
Dolan has also proposed spending $25,000 for new carpeting at the Senior Center, which is less than the $50,000 that the Senior Center requested.
“The carpets haven’t been replaced since the renovation,” said Dolan.
The Golf Enterprise Accountant’s Retained Earnings will allocate $43,000 to purchase an ATV for the Fire Department that will allow firefighters to transport golfers who have a medical emergency on either of the two courses. The retained earnings will also appropriate $50,000 for tree removal/pruning and $35,000 for irrigation pumps at the Reedy Meadow Golf Course.
Additionally, Lynnfield Media Studios will be receiving $150,000 to upgrade production equipment, which will be funded from the Cable Receipt Reserve Fund via PEG (Public, Educational and Government) Fees that are paid by Comcast and Verizon.
The funding sources for the $1,197,500 capital budget includes $874,500 from Free Cash, $150,000 from the Cable Receipt Reserve Fund, $103,000 from the Golf Enterprise’s Retained Earnings and $70,000 from the Emergency Medical Service Enterprise Fund’s Retained Earnings.
Dolan said it is important to purchase equipment for the various departments each fiscal year.
“If you don’t buy police vehicles, you don’t buy fire vehicles and you don’t invest in these things, then everything goes down at the same time and you have created a catastrophe for your town,” said Dolan. “Just like your home, it is important to invest in little things.”