About $300,000 of last year's expense budget went unspent, Town Manager David Cox told the Town Council Oct. 13, and he asked for members' ideas before staff writes recommendations for the Board of Finance. In past years, he said, such money has gone to the capital reserve fund, a special education reserve and studies such as the review of the town's three fire stations.
Council member Ted Hintz Jr. suggested keeping the transfer station open and restoring sidewalk-plowing overtime. Council member Richard Knotek suggested letting it fall into the general fund and deciding later. Others mentioned roads and the Senior Center. A member noted that once the money is in the general fund, spending it on operations takes a town meeting or a referendum. No vote was taken.
Borrowed over as long as 10 years for six purchases
The council on Sept. 22 approved lease financing, a loan repaid in yearly installments, of up to $727,850 over no more than 10 years for: a $235,850 boiler for Memorial School, $150,000 to replace the middle school gym heating and cooling, a $130,000 public works truck, a $115,000 public works Bobcat loader, a $62,000 fire command vehicle and a $35,000 building department vehicle.
This year's budget holds $115,000 for the first payment. Yearly payments will run about $90,000 to $122,000, depending on the term and the rate.
What it would take to fix East Hampton's worst roads
The town has 82 miles of paved road and 10 of gravel. Public Works Director Matthew Walsh told the Board of Finance on Sept. 21 that 15 miles need major rehabilitation and 21 need minor work. Fixing those while keeping 42 miles of routine-maintenance roads from slipping would take up to five years, about 10 miles a year, at $15 million to $20 million.
Daniel Street moved into the worst category after the Wopowog bridge replacement pushed its work back.
Last year's revenue came in $593,400 above budget, from investment income, tax collections, interest on taxes and conveyance taxes. On Sept. 8 the council moved that money into the Capital Reserve Fund for this year's capital projects.
A council member said the transfer should need a town meeting; the town manager said the council and Board of Finance have the authority. Ted Hintz Jr. voted no. Tim Feegel was absent.