The Board of Selectmen Tuesday discussed several monetary articles which could be before voters at October Town Meeting, including requests for voters to approve repairs to the Wareham Free Library and to allow the town to lease new school buses.

The requests came from several committees. The Board of Selectmen must approve the committees' requests to add articles to the warrant.

The Wareham Free Library Board of Trustees is requesting up to $50,000 for structural improvements to the library. Mike Flaherty, chair of the trustees, said some of the money would be used to fix rotting windows and doors and a portion of the money would go towards amping up security at the facility by building a fence around the building and adding additional outside lighting.

Selectman Michael Schneider suggested that instead of requesting Town Meeting approve the funds, the Wareham Free Library Board of Trustees request to use money the Wareham Library Foundation was awarded in a previous settlement with the town.

He said the court awarded the Wareham Library Foundation "several hundreds of thousands of dollars" that is designated specifically for use at the Wareham Free Library.

Flaherty expressed confusion, stating he had never heard of the funds before Schneider introduced the subject. Flaherty agreed that money could be used to fund the library upgrades, but wasn’t willing to remove the request until an agreement with the Wareham Library Foundation could be discussed.

Town Administrator Mark Andrews said the town would use "whatever is the quickest route to get the dollars funnelled through."

Other monetary items that could come up include the purchase of a new generator for the police station and a prisoner transport vehicle, as well as the lease of seven school buses.

Andrews suggested an article requesting Town Meeting voters approve a three-year lease on seven school buses at $15,000 for the first year, per vehicle be added to the warrant.

Selectman Cara Winslow was concerned that leasing was not the best option.

“I’m really concerned we are leveraging our future on all these leases,” she said. She also asked if the plan was agreed with upon with Wareham Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Barry Rabinovitch.

Andrews noted that he and Rabinovitch have been working to find a solution to replace the School Department’s aging fleet of buses.

“We have to start somewhere,” Andrews said.

The Selectmen will vote on the addition of the articles at a later date.

Town Meeting will begin on Monday, October 24 at 7 p.m. in the Wareham High School auditorium.