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Goshen board pauses approval of dial‑a‑bus safety plan pending attorney review, flags funding and liability concerns
Summary
Board deferred action on a proposed safety plan and related operator contract for the town's dial‑a‑bus service so attorneys can review a lengthy contract; members raised questions about potential town liabilities and whether the service could be budgeted locally if federal funding ends.
The town board agreed to hold over consideration of the dial‑a‑bus safety plan and the related bus operator contract while attorneys complete a review.
The board’s discussion noted the contract is lengthy and references appendices and exhibits that were not available to board members at the time of the meeting. One board member described the contract as “like 30 pages” and said appendices were missing; the town attorney confirmed the draft “needs some” work and further review.
Several board members and commenters emphasized the program’s importance for older residents and others who rely on the service for medical and other trips. “You would be amazed at the amount of runs that we do on a daily basis,” a board member said, adding that many Goshen residents would be out of service without it.
Board members also raised concerns about potential town liability if outside funding were reduced or removed. One speaker summarized items cited in the contract about funding limits and town exposure but said the figures read aloud in the meeting were unclear; the board directed counsel to examine insurance and liability language and to report back before the board signs any agreement.
Because counsel had not yet completed the review, the board postponed final action on the safety‑plan authorization and directed staff to return the item at a later meeting after attorney review and when all appendices/exhibits are available for examination. The item will remain on a future agenda for formal action once the review is complete.
