By Sarah Opdahl

In their continuing quest to gather as much information as possible about current and future capital project needs, New Fairfield Board of Finance’s Capital Project Subcommittee met on Monday, November 18 with the Town’s public works, buildings and grounds, and library department heads to ascertain future financial needs.

Subcommittee members spoke first with Mr. Russ Louden and Mr. Tim Smith, who oversee public works projects. They explained that over the next ten years they see the need for an extra storage building at 130 feet long by 30 feet deep; a retaining wall near the publi c works buildings; and road maintenance that goes beyond the  typical, including Gillotti Road, which was understandably damaged throughout the school construction, Barnum Road , and Warwick Road. They also noted that roadwork and paving is needed  on the Company A and police department parking lots, the roads to both cell towers, and the drop-off center. In addition, there are vehicles that will need replacement, including one truck in the next budget cycle. The public works staff are also in need of some radios that are installed in the trucks for communication, which will work with a new repeater that is being installed. Louden and Smith will assign estimated costs to these projects, understanding that they are ballpark and subject to change.

Buildings and Grounds Manager Mr. Lloyd Decker explained, looking at his five-year plan, most costs are associated with “mechanicals, the HVAC, the heating and cooling from different town buildings.” In the next five years he hopes to replace three furnaces at the Public Works garage, the library boiler, and, in the future, the boiler at the annex. He eventually needs new vinyl siding for the library and the annex and maybe “more efficient windows in those buildings.” A larger hope would be a new building for the Town offices and Town Hall as they have outgrown the parking, there are issues with the vault, and more. Decker would also like to complete a roof evaluation on all Town buildings.

Library Director Ms. Linda Fox said the big issues at the library right now are known, especially the retaining wall behind the library and the parking. There is also a crack in the foundation for which the Town needs to hire an engineer to come up with a plan of acti on and an estimated cost, as that goes beyond what town staff can handle. There are ongoing heating issues at the library and some issues with humidity that has led to mold. There are some pieces of equipment that need replacing , such as computers and copiers. Fox also said the carpeting in the main library will eventually need to be replaced. She also mentioned that electrical work would be appreciated to keep pace with the technology that is advancing at the library.