GREENFIELD — City councilors unanimously approved the nearly $4.25 million capital budget for fiscal year 2027 on Wednesday night.
The capital budget includes 28 items, which will be paid for through a mix of borrowing, retained earnings and stabilization accounts. Expenses include roadwork, sewer system repairs and upgrades, and equipment and vehicle purchases.
No members of the public offered comments or asked questions, and discussion among councilors was minimal. Precinct 9 Councilor Max Webbe shared that the capital budget was approved unanimously by the Ways and Means Committee.
City Council President Lora Wondolowski asked about a $35,000 request, to be spent from the Water Retained Earnings Account, to relocate the lime silo ladder. Department of Public Works Director Paul Newell said the lime silo is where the department previously stored lime that was used in water treatment. The department has since transitioned to a new treatment system that uses different chemicals and wishes to transfer the ladder from the silo to Adams Tower, so it can be reused while also giving staff better access to the tower for maintenance and inspection.
Other expenses include upgrades and repairs to sewer systems, which Wondolowski said will help prevent backups and overflows, such as the overflow that occurred last weekend. Less than 100 gallons of untreated waste was discharged into the Green River.
“You can see that we’re making investments in our infrastructure here in Greenfield, and that’s really, really important, especially as we’re building new housing [and] bringing in new businesses,” Wondolowski said. “Thank you for making these investments.”
Capital expenses for the Sewer Department include $600,000 for sewer system repairs to curb stormwater infiltration, $50,000 for the development of a press supervisory control and data acquisition system, $100,000 to engineer improved nitrogen removal and $315,000 to replace Screen No. 1 at the Water Pollution Control Facility.
Other capital expenses include $120,000 to renovate the Transfer Station bathroom and break room, a $90,000 Ford F-250 for Greenfield’s public schools, a $36,000 resurfacing of the basketball court at the Green River Swimming & Recreation Area, a $15,000 gutter replacement at the Academy of Early Learning and $130,000 to repave Abercrombie Drive.
A full list of the approved capital expenses is included in the City Council agenda packet. The council is expected to continue to review and vote on the operational budget in June.
