By Susan MacEachron

The cost of major repairs to the Botelle School elevator and a midyear update on the town budget were the main topics at the Board of Finance meeting on Jan. 13. The Dec. 9 meeting was cancelled.

Botelle School Superintendent Kevin Case said the spending year-to-date is in line with the budget, with one major exception: the $58,000 expense for a new elevator motor. The school has several potential sources of funds to cover the cost, including an application to the state’s District Repair and Improvement Project (DRIP). The program was established with $30 million in fiscal year 2026 and $30 million in fiscal year 2027 to help pay for minor repairs, safety improvements and HVAC upgrades in public schools. Case said he thought it was likely that Botelle would be awarded $32,000 from this fund.

While awaiting word on a potential DRIP grant, the Board of Education (BOE) has authorized use of $45,000 from its nonlapsing account to pay for the elevator repairs. State law allows the BOE to deposit unexpended funds (up to two percent of the annual budget) from the prior fiscal year into a nonlapsing account. The funds must be used for educational purposes and authorized by the board of education. Case said the BOE is looking for additional funds within the current year operating budget.

First Selectman Henry Tirrell reviewed spending year-to-date as compared to the budget. He said there was still a large outstanding invoice from the River Place bridge reconstruction for which the town had not been reimbursed. In a followup conversation Tirrell said the town subsequently received a reimbursement of $81,000 from the state that covered the outstanding invoice he had referenced.

The next bridge slated for repair is on Mountain Road at the intersection with Westside Road. Tirrell said the work is expected to begin in April. Although the town would typically have to pay 20 percent of the cost, but because additional infrastructure funds are available, the town has been promised 100 percent reimbursement of the estimated $3 million cost. However, the town must cover the financing costs for the bank loan needed to fund the project before the government reimbursement. The Old Goshen Road bridge reconstruction is anticipated to begin in 2027 or 2028.