Clinton Sponsors New Trails Project

Village of Clinton Board members worked out a number of financial details for upcoming projects at their meeting last week.

Giving the report from the Finance Committee’s meeting, Mayor Elizabeth Tantillo said the Village’s fund balance, or savings, has grown to over $300,000 since the new fiscal year began in June.

That committee also looked at the Rate To Serve fee on utility bills.

The payment, which began at $50 and was lowered to $30, is used to cover interest on projects the Village funds.

Tantillo said the $30 is not enough to cover the interest, coming up short by about $20,000.

Changing the fee will be discussed at a Board meeting to be included on a future billing statement.

It was also noted that water consumption by users was down.

Tantillo said Hamilton College has hired a grant writer who will work with local municipalities.

The writer has helped the Village obtain three grants and one for the Town of Kirkland.

Tantillo said equipment in the Department of Public Works needs replacing, and the grant writer might be used to find funding.

Board members approved using $120,700 of the fund balance towards payment of the tanker chassis for the first of two new fire trucks to be purchased for the Clinton Fire Department.

Reserve funding for Wastewater Treatment Plant expenses of $6,000 was used for expenses with work by Engineer Tim O’Hara.

Board members approved short-term borrowing of $500,000 for a vacuum truck for the DPW.

The Village has applied for a grant to cover the cost but would need to pay upfront if obtained.

A bond of $2 million was approved to cover costs for the Village Green project.

The cost is covered through the Downtown Revitalization Improvement grant and will be reimbursed by the state.

Tantillo said the changes will be better defined once the consultants put together a detailed proposal.

A committee of residents will be part of the review of changes, as will the Clinton Historical Preservation Committee.

Kirkland residents who owe on their water and sewer bills will have the costs added to their January town and county tax bill.

O’Hara explained that an ...