Council questions specifics for parks capital items: senior-center kitchen and parks vehicle

Members of the Binghamton City Council asked for more detailed specifications Monday for several capital purchases proposed in the parks capital fund, including kitchen equipment for the senior center and a replacement vehicle for parks rangers.

Comptroller Chuck Robinson said the kitchen equipment—budgeted at about $29,000—would allow the senior center to continue preparing meals for a county-associated program (either Meals on Wheels or Broome County Office for Aging was referenced). The council asked which exact program and what equipment would be purchased; Robinson said the senior center had included the request in its capital improvement plan and the administration was using unused capital funds so the general fund would not be tapped.

Robinson said parks rangers are driving “beat-up” vehicles and the capital request for $30,000 would purchase a replacement vehicle; Council member Kavanaugh pressed whether that amount would obtain a reliable vehicle and whether additional money in parks lines would be combined. Robinson said Nick Ballard (parks) supplied the $30,000 estimate and that additional detail would be provided; council members asked that Ballard supply specific vehicle specs before approval.

Council members also asked about the source of some transfers—particularly money coming from a floodwall-pipe inspection and repair line—and who controls that budget line; Robinson said that account is overseen by Ron Lake and that the city has had funds in that line unused for several years.

No formal votes were recorded on these capital transfers in the works session; council members requested more information from department staff before the items are advanced.