Canton Officials Look for Suggestions from Residents on Capital Expenditures

As part of a policy adopted by the Board of Finance, Town Officials are looking for suggestions from the public on what projects should be funded through the Capital Improvement Plan.  In order to be included in the plan, expenditures must be more than $10,000 and last for more than 5 years.  In the past several years, the general government budget (non-school budget) has included approximately $1,100,000 a year for capital expenditures.  The majority of the funding is utilized for pavement management, municipal vehicles, and large equipment. For example, the current general government capital budget is $1,042,704 of which $599,357 is allocated for pavement management and $315,347 for vehicles and large equipment.  That leaves $128,000 for all other items including facility maintenance, Fire Department equipment, parks, and technology improvements.

The Board of Education Capital Improvement Plan for the current fiscal year is $74,000 for track field maintenance.

Town and School Officials meet every year to discuss the Capital Improvement Plan and prioritize expenditures. As part of this process, Town Officials are looking for input from the general public.  Often the public gets involved after the proposed budget has been drafted and is being presented in the Spring.  This is an opportunity for residents to get involved early in the process by recommending Capital Projects to be funded. Projects such as putting lights at the track/multi-purpose field and constructing a bathroom for the public in Collinsville have received funding after residents expressed support. It is important that you make your thoughts known. All recommendations are reviewed by the Boards of Selectmen, Education, and Finance.

Please email your recommended Capital Improvement Projects to Robert Skinner, Chief Administrative Officer at rskinner@townofcantonct.org or mail to Robert Skinner, Chief Administrative Officer, 4 Market Street, PO Box 168, Collinsville, CT  06022. Make sure to include a complete description of the project you wish to have funded.  Both the general government and school’s Capital Improvement Plans can be found on the Town Web Page at www.townofcantonct.org by clicking on Annual Budgets under the Popular Links section of the website.

Please send your Capital Improvement suggestions by November 15, 2018.

Thank you for your input,

Robert H. Skinner,  Chief Administrative Officer
Kevin Case, Superintendent of Schools