At this month's Board of Aldermen meeting, a motion unanimously passed to submit for approval to City electors an $11 million referendum to be held in conjunction with the election on November 6.
According to meeting minutes (attached), the city plans to pay for each project through bonding.
Items to be included in the referendum:
- $5 million for road reconstruction and resurfacing
Mayor Mark A. Lauretti: "I think that people in the City have to realize that we have to spend this money to upgrade our roads, which I believe they want, which I want, and there is no better time than now to borrow money because [...] we will never get prices, I don’t believe, any cheaper, for road construction, than we’re getting now."
- $1 million for Canal Street reconstruction
Lauretti said ongoing development downtown is going to make a tremendous impact in our Grand List and taxes.
- $1.4 million for a new animal shelter
Alderman President John F. Anglace: "This has been in the works for several years – a long time. They have been very patient and I think they’ve come up with a good proposal. I support this and recommend it."
- $3.5 million for fire apparatus
Anglace: "I think the consolidating effort of the entire Fire Department and all those connected with it, they did a marvelous job of presenting it to the Aldermen, to the Mayor, and everybody else. They left no stones unturned. I think they did a great job; I think it should be supported as it is written."
