Town Board ‘tweaks’ budget: Recycling Center hazmat facility needs an upgrade

The Town Board continued to make small changes for several items on the budget for 2027, Supervisor Amber Brach-Williams announced at the Nov. 10 work session.

One such tweak was allocating funds for a new facility at the Recycling Center. Highway Superintendent Ken Lewis Jr. told the Board that a 20-year-old metal shed that’s used to store hazardous materials is in need of replacement. Mr. Lewis said the toxic materials are stored in large drums in the facility to wait for the carting company contracted by the Town to take them away for disposal. It’s specifically designed to keep the materials safely stored, with a trough to collect spills and a fire suppression system. Mr. Lewis added that it has seen better days and is rusting out.

He consulted with Highway Department Foreman Ron Jernick and they concluded it was time for a new shed. Safety can’t be compromised there, with employees certified to work with hazardous materials, Mr. Lewis said.

He and Ms. Brach-William had looked at and priced new sheds. The range is topped by those costing “upward of $100,000,” Mr. Lewis said and there were more priced between $70,000 to $80,000. But they found one that is suitable for $58,000 that has all the safety features and holds a few more drums than the present facility.

“It’s important we have remote access at the Recycling Center to store the hazmat from an employment safety point of view,” Mr. Lewis said.

“Funds can come out of the equipment reserve fund,” Ms. Brach-Williams said. It’s essential to act now, she added, since other Highway Department equipment is due for replacement in the next couple of years, including a 13-year-old “sweeper” and dump trucks that have been in the fleet since 2008-2010.

Ms. Brach-Williams said, “We need not put the staff at risk,” and Councilwomen Meg Larsen and Liz Hanley and Councilman Ben Dyett agreed.

The proposed budget is now at a 4.4% increase over the current budget. The biggest component of the Town budget, personnel costs, a total of $8,114,755, represents 42% of total appropriations, and 2.7% of the total budget increase. The Consumer Price Index increase used for salary adjustments this year was 3.5%. The only staffing changes in this budget are the addition of a laborer in the Public Works Department and the consolidation of two part-time custodians into a full-time custodian.

Employee benefit costs encompassing retirement, health insurance and payroll taxes, and insurance are a large part of the 2027 budget. These costs total $5,807,945 or 30% of total appropriations. Employee benefit costs increased $571,189, which accounts for 4.4% of this year’s budget increase.

The budget will be voted on at a special meeting of the Town Board on Nov. 17, following that date’s work session.

House Calls

Ms. Brach-Williams said Town officials met with Northwell Health about the issue of  inconsistent medical care on the Island and have made some adjustments. Islanders can access the Northwell Health House Calls program out of the organization’s Greenport location. The supervisor said that one day a month, physicians will make house calls on the Island for those who find it difficult to make the trip off-Island for care and consultations. She was also told that Northwell will prioritize Island residents seeking the home visits because of the scarcity of doctor hours on the Island and its remote location.

For more information, Northwell suggests calling 516-876-4100.

Step Right Up

The Board is still seeking a replacement for Albert Dickson who resigned effective Nov. 1 as councilman due to health issues. Applications for the position can be made by mail by Nov. 13. For email send to [email protected]. Or applications can be delivered in person to the supervisor’s office at Town Hall, 38 North Ferry Road.

After Tuesday’s work session, Ms. Brach-Williams told the Reporter that so far there had been six candidates who have applied. Interviews of the candidates will be Nov. 18 and 20.

Money, Money

Ms. Larsen announced that the Health and Wellness Committee is sponsoring a “financial wellness” information session at the Community Center this Friday, Nov. 13, at 5:30 p.m. The discussion and learning session will be all about personal finances, including “how to save more, spend less, taxes,” medical expenses and how to find resources for a clearer financial picture for individuals and families.

And, there will be pizza, Ms. Larsen said.