Following her unanimous appointment to the Town and Schools Needs Assessment Priorities Committee (TSNAP) by her fellow Board of Selectmen members on Monday, Apr. 7, Selectwoman Kim Healy said she’ll be doing her part to help repair a disconnect regarding that group’s mission.

Several town officials have devoted many hours to TSNAP, but its effectiveness in meeting its charge — as well as clarity on exactly what its charge was meant to be — has raised concerns among some town leaders.

Last week, Superintendent Kevin Smith expressed some worry about where the town is with regard to school infrastructure projects in general, with upward of $100 million in work still ahead over the next 10-15 years.

“My worry here is that we just haven’t collectively moved to a point in time where we have a clear strategy and plan to address all these needs,” he told the Board of Education on Thursday, Apr. 3.

With school and town facilities combined, there is estimated to be well over $200 million in building repairs and upgrades needed over the next decade or so.

Though it was the first she had heard about her nomination to serve on TSNAP, Healy was amenable, in part because she has concerns regarding its work.

“I think there was a disconnect between what the TSNAP provided us for bonding and what I expected to be provided and the comfort level,” Healy said. “The numbers changed between what (they) voted on and what we were presented, documentation that was missing.”

“I think it could have been a lot easier for us to get through the bonding schedule … I think we do need to have a conversation and lay out exactly what it is we expect from them,” she said.

First Selectman Toni Boucher has been serving on the committee alongside Selectman Bas Nabulsi, who is stepping away.

“The five of us will have to give them their mission,” Boucher said of TSNAP, which was originally formed last year. “It’s our responsibility to do that. They’re a subcommittee.”

After three meetings, TSNAP Chair Patti Temple went before the BOS on Aug. 5, 2024, to get more direction on what its work should entail. Along with asking it to provide specific recommendations on the Fiscal Year 2026 capital budget, the BOS directed it to prioritize building and space needs over the next two to five years, as well as provide general feedback on the 15-year capital plan that was drafted by the Department of Public Works.

Boucher also asked the BOS on Monday to put Jeff Rutishauser, the former chair of the Board of Finance, on TSNAP as a private citizen. Along with his financial background, she cited his “deep experience in real estate and development and construction” as being of value to the committee.

Asked by Healy if he would be allowed to vote, Boucher wasn’t sure.

“Jeff would be a community member, so I think it’s non-voting,” she said. “You and I would be the voting members.”

“Yeah, but Patti Temple votes, and Rich Santosky votes,” Healy said, referencing TSNAP members who don’t hold public office nor work for the town.

“I guess we can make that decision. It’s up to you,” Boucher said.

“This needs to be restarted for the goal of looking at next year’s priorities list, as well as solutions for Town Hall space needs,” Boucher said.

Appearing before the BOS earlier in the evening during public comment, BOE Chair Ruth DeLuca suggested a tri-board meeting occur with the Boards of Education, Finance and Selectmen, in order to “discuss and clarify the next five years of school bonding infrastructure needs and financing.”

“Given the scope of work that stands before us, having a shared understanding and commitment to a five-year plan would serve us both and the town well,” DeLuca said.

Nabulsi asked Boucher if, beyond including herself, Healy, and Rutishauser, she had “a vision for the entirety of TSNAP?”

Boucher said the next step would be to confirm who wants to stay on the committee for the next year, including BOE and BOF members.

“It wasn’t a set number,” she said of the first iteration.”We tried to get two people from each of the boards and some community members outside of that group and those who have served on the building committees.”

“We will follow up with the rest of the membership,” she said.

“We will then bring this up for a topic soon to give them a proper mission statement, so they’re clear on their marching orders,” Boucher said.