WESTFORD — The Conservation Commission recently voted to support a proposal to raise the annual spending limit for the East Boston Camps maintenance revolving fund from $80,000 to $150,000, citing rising maintenance costs and the need for greater financial flexibility.
The proposal, which is included as Article 6 on the October Special Town Meeting warrant, would allow the town to spend more money from the existing revolving fund each fiscal year to maintain the property.
During the October 14 meeting, Conservation Resource Planner Matthew Salem explained that the current spending limit has restricted the town’s ability to address repairs and ongoing maintenance at East Boston Camps.
Salem pointed to a roughly $40,000 septic system replacement at Camp Yellow during the previous fiscal year. The expenditure pushed the town to its annual spending limit before the fiscal year ended, requiring additional authorization from the Select Board and Finance Committee to cover future expenses.
The revolving fund also covers approximately $40,000 in annual caretaker expenses, leaving a limited amount available under the current spending cap for other maintenance projects.
Commissioners discussed the costs associated with preserving the property’s aging buildings, including roof repairs, chimney replacements, and other infrastructure improvements.
Salem said that replacing the roof of Yellow Lodge cost approximately $17,000 five years ago and that similar work would likely cost more now.
Commissioners questioned whether increasing the spending limit was appropriate without a more comprehensive plan for the property’s long-term maintenance and preservation.
During the discussion, it was said that the property’s master plan was approximately 20 to 25 years old and there was question over whether it remained an appropriate guide for future improvements.
Salem agreed that additional planning was needed and said a working group was making progress toward identifying immediate maintenance priorities and evaluating longer-term options.
Salem explained that any comprehensive approach would require the town to determine which improvements it wants to pursue and assess the associated costs.
Despite those concerns, Salem emphasized that increasing the revolving fund’s spending limit would not require the town to spend $150,000 annually.
Instead, the change would authorize spending up to that amount from available funds when necessary, thus reducing the likelihood of exceeding the spending limit before the end of a fiscal year.
Following the discussion, commissioners voted to support Article 6 and the proposed increase to $150,000.
The Conservation Commission’s vote represents support of the warrant article, and voters will consider the proposal at Special Town Meeting on Oct. 26.
