Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice“In the Works!”
We are working on the 2022-23 Budget for the Village. The Villages fiscal year goes from June 1st to May 31st. This is the time the Board looks at all expenses and makes determination on Capital Projects.
This coming year we will continue with the 12-million-dollar upgrade of the Wastewater Treatment Plant – this includes expanded capacity, UV filtration, and upgrades to the Orchard Street Pump Station. The Village received 3 million dollars in grant funding and continues to work to find other grant sources to lessen the long-term debt.
In Drinking Water, we are completing the plans for Well #3. This well has been offline for a number of years due to its age, and it was found to be under the influence of surface water. We will be replacing the well with new technology and an advanced cartridge filter system. We are blessed with an abundance of water, but this well could be a crucial resource and back up in the event of drought or problems at other points in the system.
We have had an aggressive road repaving program, and this will continue. At least 6 streets will be repaved, prioritized by condition. Orchard Street, Elm, and Welling are our priority areas. The price of macadam is directly related to oil prices so this may affect how many streets we accomplish, but the three I mention are at the top of the list.
Last year we completed a sidewalk project on High Street, this year’s project will be on South Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets. This is funded by Orange County Community Development, and, like many of our sidewalk projects, it’s to remove barriers and impediments so that they are ADA compliant. This is a difficult project due to the condition and complexity of topography.
The work on a perimeter pathway and second walking bridge in Stanley Deming Park are slated for this year as well. In Memorial Park, we will be working towards replacing the covered bleachers and adding picnic amenities along the McFarland Pathway. We will also be adding bocce ball courts near the pavilion.
We are at the threshold of the largest federal funding of infrastructure projects in our nation’s history. To be competitive and shovel ready, we are working on the engineering of other important and critical infrastructure projects.
The budget process is complex. It is a combined effort of Department Heads, the Village Accountant, Mike Veneri, Village Treasurer Sadie Becker, and the Village Board. We still have a ways to go, and there will be cuts before the final budget is determined. The goal, of course, is to do the projects that are important and to keep within the 2% cap or lower which we’ve accomplished for the past 10 years.
Congratulations to Past Fire Chief, Phil Cialella and Dan Schweikart who are being honored and recognized for their service at this year’s Installation Dinner. Congratulations as well to new Chief Michael Contaxis. I wish you well in this important leadership role.
Don’t Forget! Village Elections are this coming Tuesday, March 15th. Polls are open 9:00am – 9:00pm at the Goodwill Hook and Ladder Fire House, 25 Church St. Extension.
