Board authorizes controller‑office appointment and approves 2025 capital amendments

The Town Board approved an appointment in the controller’s office and a set of 2025 capital budget amendments during its Dec. 17, 2025 meeting.

Staff requested authorization to hire Zachary Messina in the controller’s office at an annual salary of $68,458; the position is part of the town’s union contract, and staff said Messina has relevant accounting experience in a similar school‑district setting. The board approved the appointment by motion and voice vote.

Separately, staff presented about a dozen capital amendments that had been discussed in a prior work session. Many of the amendments were administrative closings: insurance proceeds for a police drone will be used to purchase a replacement; leftover funds from the Madison Avenue traffic signal were transferred to a green‑infrastructure account; the East Valley Stream bridge and Weaver Street sidewalk extension required adjustments; and proceeds from the sale of an older fire engine ($300,000) will be transferred to debt service to help fund debt on a recently received new engine.

A board member said the ongoing cadence of budget adjustments is part of normal project close‑out and thanked staff for keeping the capital program on track. The motion to authorize the amendments passed on voice vote. Staff said they will return with any necessary procurement steps and will reflect the transfers in the town’s financial records.

Outcome: Hire authorized and capital transfers approved; finance staff to implement transfers and update capital project accounting.