NORTH ATTLEBORO - Nearly $2.5 million worth of capital projects - including everything from replacing the gym floor at the high school to paving the town hall parking lot- will be up for consideration at May's annual town meeting.

A list of projects has been compiled by the town administration, with several being recommended for approval in May because it will keep the town's debt load at a steady figure.

The town's current annual debt load of $3.7 million will drop to an estimated $3.2 million in the 2010 fiscal year if no further capital projects are approved. If the $2.5 million in projects are approved at town meeting, it will boost the 2010 fiscal year debt payment by about $445,000, keeping the town's overall debt steady at $3.7 million. Among the projects that will be up for consideration is replacement of North Attleboro High School's rubberized gymnasium floor, which is bubbling in several areas.

If $405,000 is provided, the district will be able to strip the floor to its base and replace it in its entirety. The school department also has been working on a multi-year to remove and encapsulate asbestos in the district's schools. Work is done over the summer and $109,050 is being recommended to continue with those efforts.

Other school projects Three other school related projects also made the list:

Replacement of doors at several schools, including the high school, Community, Amvet Boulevard and Falls schools, at a cost of $51,239.

Replacement of telephones and intercoms at Martin School, which is the only school in the district without voicemail, at a cost of $28,900.

Replacement of a special education bus with more than 200,000 miles on it, at a cost of $83,000.

Animal shelter plans

Engineering plans for a new animal shelter, which will cost about $125,000, also made the list of recommendations. A new animal shelter, estimated to cost $1 million to $2 million is needed to provide adequate space for the animals and may be located at the World War I Memorial Park. Only the money for the engineering plans is on the capital list for the coming fiscal year.

A total of $580,000 is being sought by the public works department to address the town's failed roads.

The department has put together a report that prioritizes streets for reconstruction based upon their condition with the streets in the worst condition being fixed first.

Public works projects

The department of public works also would get $260,000 to pay for the reconstruction work on the Fisher Street Bridge. The state has chipped in $200,000 toward that project as well. In addition, a plan to inspect and maintain the town's 19 bridges and culverts needs updating, which will cost $32,000.

Two facilities-related projects for the public works department also made the list.

Its building sustained water damage in 2006 when the rubber roof failed during a rain storm. The roof had to be replaced and the interior walls were stripped to the masonry. The floor tiles also had to be stripped to the concrete slab because the adhesive used tested positive for asbestos. The building remains as a shell and because fixing the building requires the department to comply with modern code issues, a design plan is necessary at a cost of $39,500.

In addition, the wooden garage doors at the public works garage, located at 240 Smith St., are rotting and need to be replaced and the roof there is starting to fail. Both issues can be addressed with $160,500.

Other proposed projects

Other projects outlined include:

The town is looking to combine several municipal paving projects by spending $360,000 to pave the Church Street, public works yard, the Kelley Boulevard fire station, central fire station and town hall parking lots.

The fire department is requesting $30,000 to purchase a heart monitor and defibrillator, which will be used in its primary ambulance and $41,000 for software to track required data related to ambulance use.

The fire department also is seeking $41,000 for software to track the data related to ambulance usage

The town hall's air-conditioning system has long been malfunctioning - its works but is in a state of disrepair. Replacing the chiller and fixing the system is expected to cost $75,000.

The information technology department is requesting $30,000 for a network switch replacement, while the public works department is seeking $123,000 to replace a 1980 backhoe that no longer works.

AMY DeMELIA can be reached at 508-236-0334 or at ademelia@thesunchronicle.com.