NAUGATUCK — Borough officials are eyeing some large-ticket items in the 2019-20 budget.
The Board of Finance last week moved forward with a $2.84 million capital projects budget proposal.
The capital budget is meant to cover one-time large purchases using one-time revenue sources, such as a budget surplus from a previous year. The capital projects budget does not have an effect on the borough’s overall tax rate.
Five borough departments presented capital requests.
The largest came from the Public Works Department, which is seeking $1.58 million for 21 different projects. The request includes $600,000 for street paving, $190,000 to finish the Osborn Road baseball field, and $153,428 for the Cross Street reconstruction project.
The Naugatuck Fire Department is seeking $386,635 for nine items, including $154,500 to go toward a new aerial fire truck. The truck, which costs about $1.5 million, would be purchased with annual payments over the course of 10 years.
The Naugatuck Police Department requested $289,720 for eight items, including $145,000 to replace the air conditioning units at the police station.
The Board of Finance removed $76,732 from the overall capital projects requests, including $45,000 for an outdoor fitness court at Linden Park and $6,250 to paint the interior of the Naugatuck Senior Center.
Board of Finance Chairman Dan Sheridan said the board only cut the items that were obvious. He said the overall request is still too high and the board will likely remove more from the request during subsequent reviews of the budget.
