Spending $316,044,835
The city's current five-year capital requests exceed $173 million, primarily focusing on building maintenance and construction projects, including JG Whittier Middle School and a new fire station. To help alleviate the financial burden of the JG Whittier project, the city is applying for grant funding from the MSBA (Massachusetts School Building Authority), similar to the support previously obtained for Hunking and Consentino.
Significant infrastructure requirements also encompass the removal and reconstruction of the Little River Dam, with total costs anticipated to surpass $9.5 million. The city has already secured a $5 million grant and is actively pursuing additional funding to cover a portion of the remaining expenses.
Additionally, the city faces $7 million in unfunded road improvement needs over the next five years. The estimated allotment for 2027 from the state's Chapter 90 program is $2,346,230. Chapter 90 offers annual, formula-based reimbursement funding to municipalities in Massachusetts for local transportation infrastructure enhancements, including road reconstruction, sidewalk repairs, and traffic signal upgrades.
2027 Capital Funding Recommendation
Due to budget limitations stemming from decreasing revenues and rising inflation, along with uncertainties at both government and global levels, the Mayor's budget team has put forward initial funding recommendations. However, the Mayor and CFO have suggested postponing final funding decisions, potentially until later in fiscal 2027. This delay would enable a reassessment of the economic climate and the exploration of viable, sustainable funding alternatives. It would also allow for the certification of the city's fiscal 2026 free cash and determine any excess available for capital projects.
Plan for Funding Major Capital Projects
The funding strategy for significant capital projects, such as JG Whittier Middle School and a Fire Station, involves reallocating part of the retiring pension assessment, which will be accessible in 2033. This reallocation will help cover the debt service payment obligations necessary to finance these initiatives.
The city is on track to fully fulfill its pension liability by 2032, which is eight years ahead of the statutory deadline set for 2040. Once the pension liability is met, the plan is to allocate a substantial portion of these funds to tackle the city's considerable Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) liability, currently estimated at over $300 million. Nevertheless, the city may also consider utilizing some of these funds for the previously mentioned capital projects. If funding for these projects is needed before 2033, a debt exclusion might be required.
Buildings & Building Improvements
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| City Hall Elevator Rehabilitation | $130,000 |
| Elevator Repair - High School | $200,000 |
| Elevator Repair: Pentucket Lake, Silver Hill, Golden Hill | $525,000 |
| Fire Alarm - High School | $800,000 |
| Generators & Transfer Panels - School | $80,000 |
| Golden Hill Roof - School | $750,000 |
| Heating System Highway Garage | $130,000 |
| Highway Administration Roof Replacement | $50,000 |
| Highway Garage Roof Repairs | $15,000 |
| Park Barn Asbestos Removal and Floor and Stair Replacement - Highway | $50,000 |
| Park Barn Rehabilitation - Highway | $15,000 |
| Silver Hill Roof - School | $815,656 |
| Buildings & Building Improvements Total | $3,560,656 |
Computer Equipment
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Fire Station Internet Resilience- IT | $45,000 |
| Legacy Wiring Clean Up - IT | $25,000 |
| Computer Equipment Total | $70,000 |
Computer Software
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Archival Inventory and Digitization - City Clerk | $160,000 |
| CMMS Computerized Maintenance Management System - Highway | $50,000 |
| Tax Collection Software - Treasurer | $335,146 |
| Computer Software Total | $545,146 |
Equipment
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Batwing Attachment - Highway | $50,000 |
| Gasboy Vehicle Fuel System - Highway | $60,000 |
| Radios - Fire | $2,384,135 |
| SCBA - Fire | $1,290,863 |
| Skid Steer - Highway | $120,000 |
| Equipment Total | $3,904,998 |
Infrastructure
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Brandy Brow East Meadow River Culvert - Highway | $65,000 |
| Bridge CIP Update - Highway | $50,000 |
| Kenoza Ave Improvements - Highway | $200,000 |
| Little River Dam Removal - Highway | $4,500,000 |
| Miscellaneous Traffic Safety - Highway | $50,000 |
| Parking Lot Paving at Citizens Center | $60,000 |
| Parking Lot Repairs - Stadium | $100,000 |
| Sidewalks - Annual Repair & Replace - Highway | $1,100,000 |
| Stormwater Assessment at DPW Facility and adjacent property on Downing | $17,500 |
| Street Lights - Highway | $55,000 |
| Supplemental Paving - Highway | $700,000 |
| Washington Square - Improvements and Construction - Highway | $1,800,000 |
| Infrastructure Total | $8,697,500 |
Land & Land Improvements
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Cooling Corridors Street Tree Planting - Highway | $7,500 |
| Shade Trees for Parks - Highway | $25,000 |
| Whittier Birthplace Trail Hub - Highway | $33,820 |
| Land & Land Improvements Total | $66,320 |
Vehicles
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| 1-Ton Truck - Highway | $105,000 |
| 2500 Pick-up Truck with Plow - Highway | $90,000 |
| Trash Truck - Highway | $180,000 |
| Vehicles Total | $375,000 |
| Grand Total | $17,219,620 |