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North Hempstead approves $5.86 million bond authorization to advance Westbury Avenue, Manhasset sewer and other local road projects
Summary
The Town of North Hempstead voted Jan. 13 to authorize up to $5,859,643 in bonds to fund three road and infrastructure projects, including Westbury Avenue improvements and engineering and repaving work tied to the Manhasset sewer connection program. Officials said the authorization provides cash flow while the town seeks county reimbursement and preserves county and federal funding.
The Town of North Hempstead on Jan. 13 adopted a bond authorization allowing the town to issue up to $5,859,643 to finance road improvements and related infrastructure projects, officials said.
Supervisor DeSena introduced the measure, saying the authorization was a necessary step to move three long‑planned projects this year and to preserve outside funding. "This is an authorization to borrow while we are getting the bids and so that we will be ready to bond in March and proceed with this project," the supervisor said during discussion.
Town staff and engineers described the work as including the county‑led mill‑and‑pave and traffic‑signal upgrades on Westbury Avenue, new sidewalks and curbs, ADA detectable warning strips, and drainage adjustments; the authorization also supports sewer connection work and repaving in the Manhasset/Plandome Road area and other targeted improvements. Deputy engineering staff said plans reduce the number of large drainage basins because utility conduits in the curb line limit installation options and that the county is reviewing the town's 90% plans.
On the Manhasset sewer project, staff explained that the town used federal ARPA funds to provide rebates to participating businesses and that the program required obligations to be created by Dec. 31, 2024. An official working the project said the initial ARPA allocation of $3,000,000 is likely to be used almost entirely for private connections because pump and connection costs have risen sharply: "The connections themselves are in the 6 figures," the project representative said, and typical pump costs that were once estimated at $20,000–$25,000 are now commonly in the $50,000–$75,000 range.
Steve Pollock of the supervisor's office said the specific authorization number reflects remaining outstanding NV5 engineering authorizations combined with a project cost estimate: "The number is so specific because I use basically the outstanding authorization left on NV5's contract at the time in which I developed the estimate," he said. Pollock and other staff said the bond authorization gives the town cash flow to pay contractors while the county processes reimbursement claims; staff also noted the county may provide an initial 10% advance tied to the engineering phase.
Councilmembers pressed staff on timing, the breakdown between county and town responsibilities, the program mechanics for ARPA reimbursements, and documentation availability. Multiple members said they could not support the measure at a prior meeting because estimates and a breakout were not available; staff provided a NV5 cost breakout separating county and town items before the vote.
After discussion the board voted to adopt the resolution. The motion passed with all present voting in favor, meeting the supermajority threshold required for the authorization.
The bond authorization sets a maximum ceiling for borrowing; specific contract awards, final bid results and the town's actual borrowing will be determined as bids are received and agreements finalized. Town staff said they expect to post a bid package after county sign‑off on final plans and aim to complete enabling work that allows use of allocated ARPA funds for eligible repaving and sidewalk work.
Provenance: transcript topic introduced at SEG 651 and discussed through SEG 2610.
