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North Hempstead adopts 2025–2029 capital plan after debate over transparency and priorities
Summary
The Town of North Hempstead board voted unanimously Jan. 8 to adopt a five‑year capital plan that lists proposed projects and funding strategies; members sparred over timing, missing work sessions, facility needs and whether a cat shelter or Westbury Yard work should be added.
The Town of North Hempstead town board voted Jan. 8 to adopt its 2025–2029 capital plan after a lengthy presentation and debate.
Town staffer Steven Pollock summarized the plan, saying it compiles active and planned projects and estimated funding sources — including grant awards, existing cash and future bond authorizations. Pollock said the plan is a planning document, not an immediate borrowing authorization, and listed priorities such as road resurfacing, drainage improvements, LED street‑lighting upgrades, sidewalk replacements and park projects across the town. He also said seven bond resolutions would be proposed at the Jan. 14 meeting to authorize borrowing for specific projects.
The board heard public comment and several council members raise concerns before the vote. Tom McDonough, president of CSEA Unit 755 (who identified himself during public comment), urged attention to aging Town Hall windows and doors, ADA access and the long‑outstanding Westbury Yard facilities for highway staff, saying employees still work from a trailer and walk to restrooms. Others, including speakers advocating for a local cat shelter, asked that shelter funding or grant use be considered within capital planning.
Some council members criticized the process and timing. Several members said they had received the capital plan late and asked for a separate capital work session to review an estimated $43.9 million of projects; others said the plan mostly repeats prior years’ entries and that actual borrowing would require separate votes. Pollock told the board that calendar‑year capital payments totaled about $18 million in 2024 and that project estimates and grant approvals can change what is ultimately borrowed.
Supervisor DeSena offered the resolution to adopt the plan; a roll‑call vote followed with recorded "Aye" votes by the attending council members and the supervisor. The resolution passed.
Votes at a glance: the meeting also included votes to strike a duplicate consent item (Resolution 17), ratify a catering agreement at Harbor Links (Resolution 19), authorize a short‑term interfund loan from the outside‑village fund to the general fund (Resolution 36), approve employment/appointment actions (Resolution 49), and amend a contract with Z Creative Communications for public relations services (Resolution 54). Details of each action were discussed and confirmed at the meeting.
The board did not commit to immediate borrowing for the projects listed in the plan; separate bond authorizations and financing votes will be required for specific projects. Town staff said they will continue to gather cost estimates, pursue available grants and return with any items the board requests for further review.
