Mayor's Minute: Stamford's Capital Projects

As Stamford's budget season swings into full gear and resident's begin to get glimpses at operational budget's for Stamford school and city systems, Mayor Michael Pavia sat down to talk about the proposed Capital Budget.

The Capital Budget is used to fund construction and building enhancement projects and equipment maintenance around the city. This year, Pavia proposed a $41,490,098 Capital Budget, of which $29,999,793 would be supported by General Obligation Bonds "financed through local tax dollars." The Board of Finance had previously set a Safe Debt Limit of $30 million for General Obligation Bonds support.

"We're going to be focusing on some of our most pressing issues first," Pavia said. "Safety issues and code compliance. Upgrades to some of our fire and safety alarm systems in city buildings and attending to some roofs that need to be repaired."

About $7 million will go to equipment, including city vehicle replacements and upgrades. Another $7 million would go to Parks & Rec projects. About $17 million is allotted for road and sidewalk infrastructure and another $7 million set aside for building infrastructure.

Pavia said a strong focus for Capital projects coming in under budget or with money left over would be school upgrades, including redesigns and replacements in the wake of the Sandy Hook tragedy. Entryway redesigns, concrete structures out front to protect from vehicles and shatterproof glass one the first levels of school buildings were just some of the possible projects.

"We're looking at new ways to make out schools a little safer," Pavia said.

The mayor said he hoped to have as many projects started as soon as possible so they could be completed even more quickly, hopefully within the next six months or so, as opposed to projects that can be drawn out over a number of years.