Summary

Finance Committee approves fire apparatus purchase, land-use appropriation and LOTCIP commitment; budget debate continues

LedyardApr 1, 20264 min read

At a glance

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The Ledyard Finance Committee (April 1, 2026) met in hybrid format. Members approved minutes (with one set deferred), recommended purchase of a replacement fire pumper for $1,173,066, appropriated $73,782.83 from sale proceeds to Land Use capital for POCD/document updates, and authorized a Commitment to Fund a LOTCIP grant of $3,224,800 for the Lantern Hill Road Bridge replacement. Committee reviewed year-to-date financials (tax collections 98.6% through Feb. 28) and noted an expected increase in police overtime due to an officer’s active military duty. A motion to reduce the Board of Education FY2026/2027 request by $232,335 failed (1–1); a special meeting on April 8, 2026 was scheduled to further address the budget.

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Finance Committee

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TransportationBudget & TaxPublic SafetyEducationHealthcare

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Key decisions

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Approved minutes from Feb. 4, Mar. 5, Mar. 9, Mar. 12 and Mar. 18, 2026; Budget Work Session minutes of Mar. 19, 2026 deferred.
Recommended for approval: purchase of Fire Apparatus (replacement pumper R-13) from Marion Body Works, Inc. for $1,173,066 (funding from Account #21020401-54325).
Recommended for approval: appropriate $73,782.83 (net proceeds from sale of 528 Colonel Ledyard Highway) to Capital Account #21014301-53306 for Land Use - P&Z document/POCD updates.
Recommended for approval: authorize the Mayor to sign a Commitment to Fund a LOTCIP grant for $3,224,800 for replacement of Lantern Hill Road Bridge #71009 (design costs borne by separate $3M grant).
Amended agenda to add the LOTCIP commitment item (motion approved).
Motion to reduce Board of Education FY2026/2027 budget by $232,335 failed (vote 1–1); special Finance Committee meeting set for April 8, 2026 to continue budget review.
Noted financial reports: tax collections at 98.6% through Feb. 28, 2026; Police overtime expected to increase due to an officer called to active military duty.

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