The Woburn City Council on Sept. 20 unanimously adopted a $70 million, five-year capital improvement plan submitted in July by Mayor Scott Galvin. The plan includes 76 projects to be completed from 2017 to 2022.

“This plan will serve as the framework for large-scale expenditures over the next five years, and will be updated and extended on an annual basis,” Galvin wrote to the council in a letter accompanying the plan document.

The highlight is a new central fire station at $12.5 million, replacing Central Square Station and 907 Main Street Station. Other projects include maintaining and upgrading roads, cleaning and relining the water main and replacing hydrants, a new fire ladder truck, upgrading the Green Street Pool and initial design for a new elementary school to replace the Altavesta and Linscott/Rumford elementary schools. Construction of the school will be part of the next five-year cycle.

Fire Department officials wanted the station to be built in 2018, but the plan slates it for 2021 so that debt service can begin in 2023. The advantage to the city, according to the Capital Improvement Plan report, is to delay new debt payments until existing payments have decreased.

Several aldermen were disappointed that the fire station would be delayed by three years, but they viewed the plan as a framework rather than a firm commitment, suggesting that the schedule could be changed.

“I’d like to see the fire station be the top priority. This is a guideline; it’s not etched in stone,” said Ward Two Alderman Richard Gately.

Ward Four Alderman Michael Anderson agreed.

“We’re accepting a plan that was very well thought out. But we’re not funding anything,” said Anderson.

The projects would be paid for through five sources:

$16.6 million in new debt;$9.7 million as “pay as you go” from the general fund;$13.4 million from water and sewer revenues;$1.72 million via fundraising and other sources;$28.4 million in grant funds such as the state Chapter 90 roadway allocation and the Massachusetts School Building Authority.

The report defines a capital budget as one including large or infrequent expenses such as building construction, vehicles and land purchases. In contrast, an operating budget itemizes regular, recurring expenses such as salaries and materials.

The advantage to five-year planning, according to the report, is to evaluate priorities and schedule major investments rather than being forced to make them on an emergency basis.