Board tosses around block grant ideas

NORTH EAST — Times are tight, and the prospect of garnering grant money for town projects is something the Town Board doesn’t want to miss out on.

That’s why, as in years past, it’s talking about Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), which award up to $150,000 to municipalities looking to undertake infrastructure work or affordable housing or a whole range of projects included on the county’s priority list.

As required the town will hold a public hearing so the community can offer its suggestions for block grant projects; that hearing is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, at 8 p.m. at the Town Hall.

At last Thursday’s Town Board meeting, town Supervisor Dave Sherman suggested the discussion start sooner, rather than later.    

“I thought we should start kicking around a few ideas before the public hearing, on any thoughts we may have,� he said. “I don’t know if anybody has any ideas?�

“I would like to see handicapped access on this building,� town Councilman Carl Stahovec said.

The county sent out information on the block grant program to municipalities in July. As in previous years, affordable housing and infrastructure (roads, sidewalks, water projects, etc.) topped the priority list.

“Not to sidetrack Carl, but the other thing we talked about was trying to devote some money to road work,� Sherman said.

The parking lot at Town Hall was mentioned. It’s in need of repair and has been a topic of conversation among Town Board members for many months.

“The downtown public parking lot, yes,� Sherman said. “But they said not so for the Town Hall parking lot. The grant is not for us building a palace.�

“How about flood and drainage improvements in town?� town Councilman Dave McGhee asked. He was not answered.

“Bob [Stevens], do you have any pet ideas?� Sherman asked the highway superintendent.

Stevens replied that improvements are needed on a box culvert on Old Post Road No. 2.

Different suggestions were hashed out before the talk quieted, and the supervisor brought up an important point.

“Unless there’s a heck of a turnaround on Wall Street, I don’t see how New York is going to be able to offer any state aid without federal help,� Sherman said.

Nobody had an answer. The conversation quickly returned to block grant ideas.

“We’ve been talking about Old Post Road No. 2 for several years,� town Councilman Dan Briggs said. “That means it’s got someone’s attention.

“And handicapped access is not just to get into the building, but to get around the  building,â€� he said, adding that perhaps all of the money should go toward road repairs as the work will be costly.

“You’re right,� Stahovec said. “The roads will need all the help they can get.�

“It adds up quick,� Sherman said. “The problem is when you go to get the work done the bids can get very expensive.�

Stahovec said the same will hold true if the building entrance were to be converted to be handicapped accessible.

“That door would be $30,000, guaranteed,� he said. “There’s a lot more to it than it looks.�

The board is hoping residents will attend the public hearing with their own ideas and suggestions; it will likely make its decision following the close of the hearing at the Sept. 3 meeting.