South Amherst reallocates $75,999 to parks capital fund, approves park and cemetery landscaping projects

The Village of South Amherst council approved a reallocation of appropriations on April 13 to move $75,999 from a capital equipment line into a transfer-out account to be tracked in the Parks Capital Project (Fund 4903). Fiscal Officer Michelle Henke said the Law Director advised that revenue from recycled-can proceeds must be recorded to the General Fund and that a new revenue account line had been created to track those receipts; how much recycling revenue the pilot will generate was not specified.

Council then approved two spending motions tied to parks and cemetery maintenance. Councilmember Anthony Savage moved to authorize comprehensive cleanup of the Community Park entrance flowerbed — including pre- and post-emergent weed control, pruning, debris removal, mulching and monthly weed control — not to exceed $3,500. Councilmember Jeanne Maschari later moved to remove three spruce trees at Evergreen Memorial Garden and to install seven 6-foot Norway spruce at a cost not to exceed $6,300; that motion also passed.

Appropriation Ordinances No. 336 and No. 337 were presented and approved in connection with the transfer and appropriation actions. The minutes record that expenditures for park projects will be paid from the Parks General Fund; no vendor names or contract terms for the garden work were specified in the minutes.

Councilmembers also discussed the aluminum-can recycling pilot during public comments: collection is ongoing with small but steady amounts and the first recycling run is expected within a few weeks; final payment depends on weight, vendor and market rates and was listed as "unknown." The council encouraged continued drop-offs and outreach to nearby businesses.