MONTAGUE, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Montague Capital Improvement Committee (CIC) have released their draft Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2026 through 2031. The CIP lays out several large town projects across the categories of the municipal airport, parks and public spaces, infrastructure, clean water facility, facilities, and vehicles and equipment that are in the works and expected in the coming fiscal years.
Capital projects are defined as those costing at least $25,000 with a useful life of at least five years. By looking ahead, the CIC hopes to make full use of municipal assets, mitigate maintenance and replacement costs, decrease risks and liabilities of capital assets, enhance efficiencies, enhance the town’s credit rating and maintain control of the tax rate, and to increase the attractiveness of the town for residents, visitors, and businesses.
Major projects between now and 2031 include the study for the new man library branch, the Franklin County Technical School reconstruction, the new elementary school study (which failed to receive funding from the Mass School Building Authority in FY23, however the district has reapplied and is awaiting word on funding for the next round of grants), the Strathmore Mill demolition and cleanup, the Farren Property and Montague City rezoning project, among others.
Funding sources for capital projects comes from several sources including the General Fund Cash, Free Cash, Town Capital Stabilization, Revolving Funds, Community Preservation Act Funding, Reporgrammed Funds, Enterprise Funds, Sale Funds, and Bonds and Borrowing. Of prime concern for the CIC is the amount of annual debt service authorized by the Town.
The CIC has worked closely with the Selectboard, Finance Committee, Town Accountant, Treasurer, Town Adminstrator’s Office, and department heads. And the CIP is a living plan updated annually to stay up to date on project progress, cost changes, and other changes.