Fitchburg Finance Committee Special Meeting – June 22, 2026: 2027–2036 CIP Review and Adoption

The Fitchburg Finance Committee met in special session on June 22, 2026, beginning at 5:35 p.m. and adjourning at 7:51 p.m., to review the mayor’s proposed 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Department heads presented changes from the previously adopted CIP, answered alder questions, and the committee unanimously adopted Resolution R13726. No members of the public appeared for non-agenda items.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public appearances were made in chambers or online for non-agenda items, and no public testimony was listed for this special meeting.

CIP Overview and Key Financial Context

• The mayor explained that the CIP is a 10-year plan for capital purchases and infrastructure investment, with the first five years containing vetted projects and years six through ten serving as placeholders. The plan does not authorize spending and is shared with Moody’s, financial institutions, and residents.
• The mayor said the plan focuses on maintaining and replacing existing equipment and improvements, with few new projects. The CIP assumes net new construction of about 2.5%, while June inflation was stated to be almost 4.2%, creating a projected financial gap.
• Finance Director Misty Dodge noted the CIP document is 301 pages, includes change reports by expenditure, property-tax funding, and borrowing, and recommended using the PDF bookmarks to navigate it.
• Replacement-fund inflation assumptions were lowered from 3% to 2% across many funds. Dodge described this as a calculated risk, with higher interest earnings on replacement reserves potentially helping to offset the difference.

Department Presentation Highlights

• Community Services: vehicle replacements are meeting current needs; the commercial kitchen project was folded into the City Hall remodel; a hot/cold food well placeholder was pushed out.
• Library: new projects include a $70,000 first-floor refresh and a basement refit, both funded from library capital savings; outreach vehicle and self-check machines are unchanged.
• Assessing, Building Inspection, and Clerk’s Office: vehicle replacement funds continue with the 2% inflation adjustment; electronic poll books are unchanged.
• FACT TV and Information Technology: FACT TV is working to consolidate cable delivery to a single channel; IT projects are largely unchanged, with the previously approved data storage array added to IT equipment.
• EMS: Fitchburg-Rona EMS operates six ambulances and two SUVs; ambulances are kept for 12 years and replaced every two years. Fitchburg’s share of ambulance costs rose from roughly 50% to an estimated 70% under the new intergovernmental agreement.
• Fire: most apparatus replacement schedules are unchanged; extrication equipment costs increased to add missing equipment; the command vehicle funding was reduced from $1.5 million to $500,000; SCBA replacement is planned for 2028.
• Police: radios, body cameras, and fleet plans are mostly unchanged; taser replacement funding was updated; an additional K9 unit was moved to 2030 with grants/donations as the funding source. Police dispatch consoles were removed because dispatch moved to the county. Chief Morales said that if given a blank check, he would prioritize the real-time information center over the additional K9 unit.
• Public Works and Parks: the City Campus Facilities Remodel increased by $4.85 million, funded by borrowing, with utility rent payments to the general fund adjusted upward. Parks changes included a new playground replacement fund, an additional $600,000 for Kids Crossing Playground bringing the total to $1,575,000, and a $1.5 million splash pad placeholder. The Nine Springs maintenance shed project, tennis/pickleball court replacement, Neighborhood Hub Phase Two, and the Haso Hochi basketball court cover were removed.
• Streets: the Traceway/Leopold Bike and Ped project was revised to $1.265 million in construction with $758,000 in TAP grant funding and moved to 2028 design and 2030 construction. Syene Road was delayed to 2030/2031 to align with the Perry Street overpass timeline. Irish Lane was delayed to 2030 construction, with grant funding reduced to $1,685,195 and borrowing reduced to $1,014,805. The 2035 bus rapid transit extension was removed, and a new Osmondson Road traffic signal project was proposed for 2032 and 2036.
• Water and Sewer: the Sciene interceptor extension is estimated at $3.57 million including carryover; McKee Farms Park pond dredging was pushed from 2030 to 2035; a new McKee Farms Park headwall replacement is planned for 2027; Well 13 and pump house construction was raised to $6 million and delayed; and a new Lacey Road water main extension was added.
• Finance and Administration: the capital grant match fund is being used to leverage grant opportunities; the Expenditure Restraint Incentive Program is declining and expected to end, with one-time fund balance covering the gap for up to 10 years. Solar investment funds are being shifted to solar repairs, the hybrid/EV fund has been used for vehicle cost differentials and chargers, and the teen center was delayed to 2028 design and 2029 construction.

Key Outcomes

• Resolution R13726, adopting the 2027–2036 Capital Improvement Plan, was moved by Alder Jetzer and passed unanimously by the Finance Committee members present.
• A public hearing will be held at the regular council meeting on June 23, 2026. A committee-of-the-whole discussion of borrowing needs and the five-year financial plan with LES is scheduled for June 24, 2026.
• Alder amendments are due to the Finance Director by July 6, 2026. The second public hearing and council adoption of the CIP are scheduled for July 28, 2026.
• The next Finance Committee meeting is scheduled for June 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m.
• Staff requested that alders use the electronic amendment form and noted that no floor amendments will be taken at adoption.