By MARK SARDELLA
WAKEFIELD — The Capital Planning Committee is recommending that the town spend $2,152,966 from the tax levy on capital improvements in FY2026. The CPC is also calling for $307,000 in capital spending for the self-funded Water Department and $358,000 for the Sewer Enterprise Department.
Capital Planning Committee chairman Phil Renzi appeared before the Town Council this week to present the recommendations along with Joseph Bertrand, who is the Finance Committee liaison to the CPC.
The initial total for tax levy capital requests was $8,556,460, Renzi said. The original Water Division request was for $465,500, with the Sewer Division submitting $466,500 worth of requests.
The capital spending presentation was originally scheduled for the March 24 Town Council meeting, but it was postponed to this week when it was discovered that a School Department request of $125,000 for a two-way radio system had already been funded through the School Department budget without notifying the CPC. The CPC asked for more time to re-allocate that $125,000 to another need.
At this week’s Town Council meeting, Renzi began by reviewing the capital planning process. He explained that each fall, town department are asked to submit their capital requests for the CPC’s consideration. The requests are then compiled into a spreadsheet for evaluation and review.
The CPC invites all interested department heads to a meeting for a discussion on their requests, Renzi explained. The CPC met six times over a five-week period to evaluate requests and establish a rank and prioritization for funding. Department heads help set priorities for the requests which helps guide the CPC, Renzi added. The CPC must reduce the capital requests to meet the town’s capital budget of approximately $2 million.
Renzi highlighted some of the key items in the FY2026 capital plan recommended by the CPC.
Two police patrol cars and one canine vehicle were recommended at a cost of $234,200.
A $48,000 command vehicle was approved for the Fire Department.
A DPW request for a dump truck with a snowplow was OK’d at $111,000.
The CPC also approved a van for the Senior Center at $80,000.
Also recommended were HVAC replacement units for the library, including a chiller replacement at $150,000 and two rooftop HVAC units at $80,000.
Two replacement garage doors were approved for the DPW at $35,000.
Replacing the Town Hall shingle roof as well as repairs to the foundation came in at $60,000.
The CPC OK’d a request for new tables at the Civic Center at $8,000.
A total of $55,000 was allocated to to replace the water heaters at the Galvin and Woodville schools.
The CPC approved $125,000 for a new rubber surface for the Dolbeare School Playground, replacing the present wood chip surface.
A sidewalk snowblower for town buildings was OK’d at $35,000.
On-board vehicle computers for the Fire Department were approved at $5,250.
A total of $75,000 was recommended for new play area grass and fencing at the Walton School.
Town-wide ADA upgrades were approved at $50,000.
Town Councilor Edward Dombroski noted that the Capital Planning budget has remained at about the same level for many years and wondered if it should be increased.
Renzi confirmed that the budget has been at about $2 million for the last decade. He said that the CPC would like to have as much money as possible for capital planning.
Betrand agreed that the annual total “should be much higher,” suggesting a 3-5 percent increase each year.
Town Councilor John Carney said that there should be a five-year capital plan. Renzi said that a longer-range plan does exist.
Town Administrator Stephen P. Maio said that the town annually bonds about $2.5 million for capital improvements over and above what the Capital Planning Committee recommends.
The Town Council voted unanimously to approve the Capital Planning budget. The budget will go before the voters at the May 5 Annual Town Meeting.