Town tackles the job of spending surplus budget

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

Once their 2013 books were officially closed, Town of Waterford officials learned they ended the year with a $115,000 surplus.

The Town Board on June 9 discussed, and decided, how that money – earmarked in last year’s budget toward expenses – could be applied toward a variety of 2014 projects.

After a series of back-and-forth discussions, the board voted, 3-2, in favor of applying the funds toward road construction projects this summer, purchasing a new truck and paying down debt.

The town needs at least two new pieces of operating equipment, officials said, including a plow truck and a water patrol boat.

“They’re both going lame,” Town Chairman Tom Hincz said. Town Supervisor Lisa Jeschke agreed the expenditures should be a high priority – particularly for the plow truck. “We’ve had a lot of issues with it,” she commented.

In the end, the board allocated $40,000 of the surplus toward buying a plow truck. The water patrol boat remains high on the town’s radar. Police Chief Tom Ditscheit said he is confident the boat now in use will remain operational through the rest of this season.

“The motor on it is still running well,” Ditscheit explained. “But it is getting old.”

At one time in the past, the town had leased its patrol boat, but most members of the board favored purchasing the watercraft and owning it outright.

An additional $43,000 will go toward road maintenance this summer. In particular, the funds will be used to patch up Greeley and Tichigan roads.

Several board members said they favor allocating some of the surplus funds toward debt reduction. In the end, $32,000 went toward paying off some of the town’s outstanding loans.

Supervisor Tim Szeklinski said he wanted an even greater portion of the funds allocated toward debt reduction. Applying the surplus toward debt now ensures the town has more freedom in its financial decisions in the future, he explained.