What's Happening in Colchester, VT…

Colchester recently approved its budget for the next five years.

The city’s selectboard gave the nod to the Capital Budget Program (CBP), which recognizes and plans the capital the town is likely to need for the five years from 2023 to 2028. Although the plan varies throughout the time period, it provides an overall guide for considering how to develop various projects.

The FY23 Capital Budget provides $3,121,948 to be shared among 48 capital projects, according to Renae Marshall, the assistant Town Manager. Approximately 38% of the funds will come from federal and state grants, with the remainder funded by local taxes, which voters have already approved.

Some of the projects the new budget will fund include paving on Old Sawmill Road, Fastnet Circle, Farnsworth Road, and Severance Road; work on the pickleball court shelter in Airport Park; resurfacing the Fort Ethan Allen Perimeter Trail; and repairing the access stairs to Bayside Park Beach.

For the five years (FY24-FY28) the budget is projected to be $9,632,465, with about 28% coming from federal and state grants. The rest would come from various sources, including donations, fundraising campaigns, and local taxes.

The CBP also identifies other projects that are currently unfunded but could be considered later. The total funding necessary for these projects is about $37,700,000.

Following a public hearing, the CBP was approved unanimously. When issues like this are discussed, officials could use brochure printing to create informative pamphlets to mail to residents.