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Votes at a glance: BET approves CDBG spending, $6M CMS interim and several appropriations; Havemeyer item deadlocks
Summary
The BET budget committee approved Community Development Block Grant allocations, a $6 million interim for Central Middle School (with conditions), an Affordable Housing Trust Fund ARPA exchange, a DEEP tree grant for Byram and a Perrot Library transfer; the BOE Havemeyer $250,000 feasibility request tied 2–2 and was not approved.
At its May 1 meeting, the Board of Estimate and Taxation budget committee recorded the following formal actions and recommendations:
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): The committee approved the annual CDBG allocations as presented by Tyler Fairbairn. Fairbairn reported HUD funding of $751,441 plus $201,009.69 in carryover, providing $953,410.64 available to fund 29 awards; the committee moved and approved the CD 1 allocation resolution.
Central Middle School (CMS) interim appropriation and bonding resolution: The committee approved an interim appropriation of $6,000,000 to replenish owner contingency for the Central Middle School project after project leaders disclosed an unanticipated $3,175,000 fire‑suppression exposure tied to low town water pressure. The BET recorded a committee vote in favor of the interim appropriation (committee tally recorded as 4–0) and passed a bonding resolution to support the appropriation; the approval was made subject to conditions and reporting to preserve oversight.
Havemeyer/BOE feasibility request: The BET tied 2–2 on a $250,000 BOE feasibility/test‑fit appropriation for Havemeyer and a potential annex behind Town Hall; the item did not carry a committee endorsement and will be considered for the full BET Monday agenda as a nonroutine item should the administration request it.
Affordable Housing Trust Fund: The committee approved an interim exchange in which the Affordable Housing Trust Fund will return $400,000 of ARPA funds it expects not to spend and the town will free up $400,000 in capital funding to reduce borrowings. Trust leaders said outstanding conditional commitments and the federal ARPA expenditure deadline motivated the exchange.
DEEP 'Trees for Communities' grant (Byram): The committee approved a $50,000 D E E P reimbursement grant to plant trees in Byram; presenters said the grant aims to plant about 100 trees on private property and a similar number on public land with partner organizations and will be administered on a reimbursement basis through 2027.
Perrot Library transfer: The committee approved a transfer to cover unanticipated snow‑removal, electricity and boiler repair costs; library director Trish Tomlinson said salary savings provided capacity to cover these shortfalls through an internal transfer.
Budget and financial reports: Comptroller Joan and finance staff presented the FY‑to‑date 9‑month report. Revenues were tracking favorably overall (notably building permits and conveyance taxes), the town projects a smaller use of fund balance than budgeted (staff estimated a potential $2–3 million draw versus the budgeted $23.8 million after timing and known items), and the BET discussed next steps on capital closeouts and guidelines.
Votes recorded by the committee: the meeting transcript recorded motions, seconds and roll calls on the items above; several votes were unanimous in committee and one critical item (Havemeyer) resulted in a tie.
