The roof on this water tank needs to be replaced.
By Nancy Peckenham
The Newburgh city council this week approved issuing a bond for $2.7 million to pay for major upgrades in the city water department’s three storage tanks that have fallen into disrepair. The funds also would be used to purchase an automated system for monitoring water supplies and a new garbage truck for the Department of Public Works.
A second bond proposal, this one to purchase a new fire truck, fire gear, two plows, three police cars, parking meters and other equipment, was tabled.
Councilman Curlie Dillard had proposed that the council hold off on both bonds until after the budget for 2012 has been hammered out and approved. Councilwoman Christine Bello agreed, saying the council should “make sure we save police officers’ jobs before we look at this.”
Acting city manager Rick Herbert urged action so that the city could take advantage of bond rates offered in November. Mayor Valentine reminded the council that once a bond is authorized it doesn’t have to be spent if grant money is found to cover any of the costs.
In the end, the $2.7 million bond was approved by a 4-to-1 vote, with Councilman Dillard against it. Councilwoman Mrage Bell noted her extreme reservations about taking on more debt before she voted for it. The second proposal, for a $1.34 million bond, was tabled, with only Mayor Valentine voting in favor of taking action on it now.
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