Glen Cove OKs $3.1M bond for capital projects

Glen Cove officials have approved $3.14 million in bonds to cover $3.99 million in capital improvements this year that include police vehicle purchases, sidewalk and curb reconstruction and the demolition and remediation of an incinerator.

The 2012 capital improvement plan passed Tuesday with a unanimous 7-0 vote across party lines. Grants and other funding will cover the $855,500 difference, according to the adopted ordinance.

Councilman Reginald Spinello, of the Independence Party, said his vote for the bonds was one for preserving city assets.

"We're trying to make Glen Cove better," he said.

Spinello pointed out that the improvements might in the end cost less than projected.

The three police vehicles were estimated to cost up to $119,000, the sidewalk work $150,000 and the demolition and remediation phase of the incinerator work $450,000, with $200,000 in funding other than bonds.

Republican Councilman Anthony Gallo Jr. said he voted for the serial bonds with residents' well-being in mind. "Sometimes you have to borrow to ensure the public is safe," he said.

Mayor Ralph Suozzi on Wednesday said the city remains intent on paying back more than it borrows each year, with an eye toward lowering its $5 million deficit. The $3.14 million in bonds is much smaller than the $6.44 million debt service fund payment in this year's budget, he said.

Democratic Councilman Michael Famiglietti said he, like others in the city, wants to limit borrowing, but a payback plan is in place and the fixes are necessary.

"You can't just let the infrastructure suffer, it has to be addressed," Famiglietti said.