Council Approves Expenditures

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

The Town Council approved several expenditures totaling $927,175 during their Tuesday night meeting, including funds for a study on where a new fire station could be located.

Councilors approved $25,000 for a feasibility study for siting a new fire station.

Councilor Paul Varone said the Town has been talking about this for more than 30 years. The current fire station on Pauline Street has problems with the roof, floors and windows. In addition, some of the equipment cannot fit through the fire station garage doors.

“This has been a long time coming,” Varone said.

Funds for these appropriations come from either the town’s capital or general stabilization funds.

Another $25,000 was approved for the Coughlin Park Feasibility Study intended to save the park and the erosion along the shoreline. Coastal Zone Management has also given the town a $25,000 grant to study the problem.

Another feasibility study was approved for $20,000 to look into inner harbor dredging.

The council also approved:

• $250,000 for additional water main work.
• $250,000 for a matching grant contribution for the Belle Isle Marine Ecology Park. A $950,000 grant has already been obtained from the state.
• $150,000 to purchase a new salter truck for the DPW. This salter would be ordered and not ready for use until next winter. It will replace a 1993 salter truck.
• $40,000 for a new DPW utility truck. This will replace a 1997 truck.
• $35,000 for a new DPW sidewalk Bobcat/steer skid loader.
• $36,000 for a new police cruiser.
• $47,175 for the School Department Capital Maintenance Program.
• $25,000 to continue digitizing vital town records.
• $24,000 for the town’s tree planting program.

In other business:

Athletic Director Matt Serino has been appointed to the town’s Scholarship Committee.

School Committee member Ron Vecchia and new Chief Financial Officer Michael Perez have been appointed to the town’s School Building Committee. Former School Committee member Gary Skomro will remain on the committee.

A scheduled public hearing to discuss SDOD status for 15-17 Walden St. was cancelled after the developer pulled out citing the need for more time.