$1 Million Trimmed From Capital Expenses

The mayor and council voted to introduce the capital bond ordinance at Monday's public meeting.

The capital expenses for all departments, originally totaling $1.9 million, were reviewed and trimmed to $925,450 with many expenses being reduced in scope or completely eliminated.

The vote carried, with Councilman Austin Ashley casting the only dissenting vote. Ashley said that although he agreed that many of the items included in the capital budget are needed, he felt that many of the purchases could wait.

"One way to improve our credit is to not take on more debt," Ashley said. 

Council President Howard Berner said that according to Gary Higgins, the borough auditor, because New Milford’s debt is considered low by bond rating company standards, taking on more debt will not affect the town's credit rating. Berner said that purchasing the items included in the capital budget provides workers with the tools they need and provides the residents of New Milford with services. 

Mayor Ann Subrizi defended the costs included in the capital budget. 

"We cut responsibly," Subrizi said. "What we could not cut, I found necessary--fire department equipment, police radios, street paving."

Subrizi said that further cuts could be made, but then there would be no DPW equipment to replace what no longer works, no flood mitigation money, no state mandated police radios and no fire equipment.  

In determining what to cut from the capital budget, Subrizi said, "You have to be aware of what you’re giving up." 

Some of the items in the capital budget include one DPW dump truck with plow to replace the one from 1982 that Mike Calamari, DPW Department Head, told the mayor and council is unfixable; an industrial wood chipper for the DPW; a senior van; fire department equipment; the  purchase of  and a radio repeater for headquarters and the middle school. 

The capital ordinance bond will be voted on at the May 14 public meeting.