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Council debates budget amendment that repurposes tank rehab funds for wastewater aeration and sludge reduction
Summary
Council opened the second reading and public hearing for Budget Amendment No. 1 to repurpose CIP funds (moving money from a tank-rehab project to aeration/mechanical screening work to reduce sludge). Staff and the town attorney advised that updating the five-year CIP will require additional publication; cost figures for the work were discussed but staff said water-main costs are not part of the roadway estimate.
At the Dec. 2 meeting the council held the second reading and a public hearing on Budget Amendment No. 1, an ordinance to amend the town's adopted budget and appropriate funds to repurpose money previously scheduled for tank rehabilitation toward wastewater aeration and sludge-reduction improvements.
The ordinance was read by title. The public hearing opened, and no members of the public spoke on the amendment. Council members asked whether the proposed budget amendment requires a separate formal amendment to the town's five-year capital improvements plan (CIP). Finance Director John Dillon Wayland said a budget amendment is the mechanism to appropriate money for the current year but that the five-year CIP document should be reprinted and updated to reflect the change; the town attorney confirmed that re-advertising the CIP and publishing a 14-day notice would be prudent under the town's interpretation of code and to preserve transparency.
Council and staff discussed whether temporary easements would be needed for sidewalk construction on Blake Avenue and whether the tank-rehab schedule could be delayed without undue risk; staff characterized the risk as minimal and said tanks would still be maintained while the aeration program proceeds.
Council asked for follow-up materials, including a cost-comparison between sidewalk alternatives and more detail on the design phase costs; staff committed to provide the missing materials to council.
