Amenia: Public apology, better process

AMENIA — What was billed as a public apology to be offered during a special meeting of the Town Board on Tuesday, July 9, once delivered, led to fruitful discussion between the Town Board and the Recreation Commission, leading to a better understanding of the expenditure process.

Having scheduled its special meeting immediately prior to the regular meeting of the Recreation Commission, the Town Board gathered to resolve a funding allocation issue in regard to the Town Hall gym floor renovation project. At issue was the handling of the funds released due to cancellation of the town’s summer camp program this year.

Acknowledging an error in failing to notify the Recreation Commission and Recreation Director Katie Sterk-Grassi, Town Supervisor Leo Blackman had moved to approve the drafting of a resolution to use half of unexpended summer camp funding in support of a project that will correct the condition of the Town Hall Gym floor, long in need of repair.

“It was my mistake,” Blackman said, with general agreement that the gym floor project is necessary and that the gym floor is used primarily for recreation activities.

“This was being worked on by former Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti,” councilman Paul Winters said, adding that in those years the understanding was that gym floor repairs would come from the General Fund. With the cancellation of Summer Camp over the past two years, related funding was used to improve and maintain Beekman Park, including new fencing, a pitching machine, and general maintenance.

Discussion focused on what constitutes a capital improvement project as opposed to maintenance, and how the town regulations can be clarified to arrive at a clear process for assigning funding while promoting better communication between town offices and recreation officials.

General agreement was reached that the gym floor would be treated as a capital expense, as would be the upcoming septic repairs at Beekman Park.

Acknowledging confusion about the process and satisfied that the town attorney would create a clarifying resolution, Sterk-Grassi offered apology for her comments at a recent meeting of the Town Board.

Financial Officer Charlie Miller indicated that $29,500 remains unspent in summer camp funding.