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Town Board adopts 2026–2030 capital plan after amending Port Washington seawall entry
Summary
After hours of discussion about transparency and project descriptions, the Town Board adopted the 2026–2030 capital plan as amended to replace a problematic "Sunset Park" label with a neutral "Seawall improvement in Port Washington" entry and agreed staff will supply more detailed schedules and work‑session opportunities.
The Town of North Hempstead Board voted Jan. 7 to adopt the town’s 2026–2030 capital plan, approving a five-year schedule of projects and a summary of estimated borrowings and spending. During the meeting several council members sought corrections and greater transparency about project locations, fund sources and whether specific projects belonged in the general fund or a town outside (special) district.
A contested line-item described in previous plans as "Sunset Park" drew particular attention because that wording had created confusion in the Port Washington community. Council members and staff debated whether the town still intended to take ownership of that property, and the town attorney and deputy supervisor recommended removing the potentially misleading name and using a neutral description so future engineering or surveying work would not be constrained by an inaccurate label. A motion to amend page 44 to replace "Sunset Park" with "Seawall improvement in Port Washington" passed on the floor; the board then adopted the plan as amended.
During deliberations council members also raised procedural concerns about timing and access to the draft plan; several asked that staff provide greater advance access to the capital plan and convene a work session to vet project estimates, especially for multi‑year or intergovernmental work. Staff said the plan consolidates recurring purchases and projects by status and that it reflects the most recent departmental estimates as of late December 2025. Steven Pollack summarized notable 2026 projects including the town dock replacement (FEMA-funded components), Bayview Avenue shoreline stabilization (FEMA funding), multiple park improvements, equipment replacement, and road infrastructure projects such as Westbury Avenue and Plandome Road/Manhasset-related work.
Council members asked for, and staff agreed to provide, clearer project descriptions, any intermunicipal agreements that allocate costs (for example for Westbury Avenue), and for a schedule showing when town borrowing or town-operated district debt will be used instead of the general fund. The capital plan is a planning document and does not by itself authorize specific contracts; the board will vote on individual bids and contracts when they return to the agenda.
The board adopted the capital plan as amended; members who opposed certain line items recorded "no" votes on specific grounds during roll call but the plan passed overall.
