The Town of Yarmouth has approved their capital budget for 2022-23.
The biggest investment is $500,000 for a new plow truck, salt truck, and sidewalk plow for the public works department.
There’s also $400,000 for active trails and sidewalks. A number of grants bring the total amount that will be invested to $1.4 million.
Mayor Pam Mood discussed the process of drafting the budget.
“We have to think long and hard on what’s good for the community? What do we need? What’s going to up the ante for everyone?” says Mood. “Everyone doesn’t always agree with priorities but we have to make sure we maintain the infrastructure.”
Another of the biggest investments is for street paving. The town is investing $300,000 for paving, with some funds carrying over from last year, bringing the total paving budget to $460,000.
Mood says paving is important to everyone and explained the large investment.
“We wish we could just go take some money and pave over a street but you can’t,” says Mood. “[The Town] is very old so every time we pave a street we have to dig up everything. A $250,000 project turns into a multi-million dollar project.”
A breakdown of the capital budget highlights is below.
Fire Service: A total of $125,000 will be invested for new equipment including station and dress uniforms and self-contained breathing apparatus for volunteers, training structures to further develop the volunteer program, upgrades to self-contained breathing apparatus’ and a new “jaws of life” tool.
Active Trails and Sidewalks: The town will invest $400,000, while grants awarded last summer will bring the total investment to $1.4 million. A multi-use trail will be added between Forest Street and Argyle Street on Haley Road, continuing the multi-use trail project.
Mariners on Main: The town will continue to invest in capital requirements to keep the facility in operation with an investment of $100,000.
Water & Wastewater Upgrades: An investment of $360,000 for upgrades to complete a key water lift station and a wastewater digester building. Funds for consultant work on a wastewater treatment plant assessment and to determine work required to replace water/sewer lines in the area of the Vancouver Street and Main Street intersection.
Street Paving: The town will invest $300,000 with budget carryover bringing the total budget to $460,000. Projects will be announced later in the summer.
Public Works Investments: A total of $500,000 for a new plow truck, salt truck, and sidewalk plow.
