The 1987 Town Plan correctly predicted that the Town of Manchester would encounter challenges posed by growth and development for a number of years to come, and thus, it encouraged the formulation of a Capital Improvement Program (or CIP) "to more effectively manage growth."

Having recognized that service delivery and infrastructure maintenance and upgrades should not be left to chance, the Town’s leadership made a commitment to the development of a Capital Improvement Program in 1989.  The Town’s first CIP, adopted by the Selectboard in 1990, was authored by the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT) Municipal Technical Services Center in close consultation with the Town Manager and department heads.  The most recent CIP, in 2008, continues the Town’s commitment to capital planning and represents the nineteenth update of the original plan.

The Capital Improvement Program is a six year plan that identifies the Town's highest priority capital expenditure needs.  It outlines proposed project schedules and possible sources of funding.  The program includes the capital needs of the following major fund types within the Town of Manchester: General Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund and School District.

The Town has chosen to define a capital improvement as any item with a value in excess of $10,000 (updated from $5,000 to $10,000 in August 2008) and a life expectancy of at least three (3) years.  Capital improvements are distinguished from regular, ongoing operating expenses, such as salaries and supplies.

Vermont municipalities are authorized to adopt capital budgets and programs under 24 VSA Section 4443, the Municipal and Regional Planning and Development Act, provided that facilities and services plans have been adopted as part of the local Town Plan (as is the case with Manchester).  The purposes for adopting such a plan include:

• to stabilize the tax rate and/or user fees;  
• to improve municipal management practices;
• to enable orderly growth and development consistent with the Town’s fiscal ability;
• to provide facilities and services in accordance with the Town Plan;
• to anticipate facility and service problems, and take advantage of opportunities for service efficiencies;
• to act as an implementation tool for compliance with Act 200 or for consideration of the adoption of impact fees; and
• to inform and educate Town officials, staff, and the public, of the Town's overall capital needs and realistic fiscal goals.

As a planning tool, the expenditures proposed in the Capital Improvement Program are not binding on the Town until adopted by the Voters as part of an annual budget or the Board of Water Commissioners or Board of Sewer Commissioners.

The Selectboard, and Sewer Board, approved the 2009 CIP at its November 17, 2009 meeting; the Water Board approved the CIP at its November 18, 2009 meeting.  The CIP will now be folded into the FY 2011 budget, which is currently being drafted for the consideration of the Selectboard and Town Meeting.