About
The Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Committee normally meets monthly on the 2nd Tuesday in the evenings, check town calendar.
Warrant Article #17 of 1998 first established a CIP Committee. Warrant Articles #17 2008 and #24 2016 re-established and further defined the CIP Committee makeup. The CIP Committee members are appointed by the Selectmen and are composed of 3 citizens at large members and 2 members from each the following committees/boards: Board of Selectman, School Board, Budget Committee, and Planning Board.
​
RSA 674:6 Purpose and Description.
RSA 674:8 Consideration by Mayor and Budget Committee.
​
Why do we need a capital improvements program?
CIPs are not required by law, but there are a host of reasons a municipality should prepare one and keep it up to date. Here are a few:
• A plan helps anticipate needs rather than just reacting to unanticipated problems (thus preventing surprises among government officials and the voting public).
• Planning ahead allows time to get the necessary resources in place bit-by-bit rather than all at once, avoiding spikes in the tax rate.
• This advance planning leaves time to identify alternate sources of funding (grants, etc.).
• A good CIP can help identify the most economical means of financing a project.
• The plan informs and prepares decision makers so that everyone is familiar with it.
• A plan prepared cooperatively among officials and employees increases the “buy-in” among them so that they are willing to help the voters understand why items in the plan are important.
• “Shovel-ready” or prepared plans can help a community be ready to participate in federal or state grant programs when they arise.
• Good plans help promote economic development if they create needed infrastructure.
• Regular attention to capital assets increases the likelihood of proper maintenance to extend the life of existing assets.
• A CIP is a legal prerequisite for some other land use tools, such as growth management under RSA 674:22 or impact fees under RSA 674:21, V.