Groton may invest in bridge repair, technology and schools
Groton — Groton's largest capital investments in the coming fiscal year may be in bridge work, the public schools and technology, according to a draft of the upcoming capital improvement program.
A draft of the plan would spend $3.7 million in the coming fiscal year, including $309,000 for the town's share of design and construction of the North Stonington Road Bridge, which straddles Groton and Stonington. The proposal also includes $275,000 to build a bike and pedestrian path along Thomas Road, $265,000 to repave the entrance and parking lot for the building leased to Groton Ambulance and $80,000 to replace the sidewalk on Pearl Street in Noank.
The draft by Town Manager Mark Oefinger outlines new construction and other long-term investments planned for the coming fiscal year and the following five years, through the 2023 fiscal year. Oefinger said he started with well over $6 million in requests from department heads before cutting that to $3.7 million.
The Town Council began discussing the draft early this year, and indicated they wanted further cuts. Suggestions included cutting $79,000 to evaluate the condition of town roads.
In technology, the draft capital program recommends spending about $1.19 million on computer software that would be used by both the town and Board of Education. "Many software systems have reached, or will soon reach, the end of their useful lives," the draft said. The town hired a consultant to review its software needs about four years ago.
The investment would allow the town and schools to use the same financial software for tasks such as payroll, opening up the possibility "for perhaps even greater sharing," Superintendent Michael Graner said.
In education, the proposal includes $370,000 to remove nonfriable asbestos from Robert E. Fitch High School; $127,000 to upgrade the security system at Catherine Kolnaski Magnet School; $84,000 to upgrade the security at Northeast Academy Arts Magnet School; and $50,000 to work on water supply lines at Robert E. Fitch High School and at Claude Chester and Pleasant Valley elementary schools. The security changes at the magnet schools are additional equipment outside, not replacement of existing equipment, Graner said.
In parks and recreation, the draft includes $45,000 to replace the basketball court in Tanglewood Park and fix the surface of the roller hockey rink near the Groton Senior Center.
The draft also recommends investing in some town buildings. The proposal includes $300,000 to finish bringing the former Fitch Middle School up to code and $100,000 to renovate an area so the town may move recreation programs from William Seely School to Fitch.
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