PLEASE ATTEND! The Village of Shoreham’s Budget Meeting

The Village of Shoreham has scheduled a Budget Meeting prior to the regular Council meeting. In what appears to be the Council’s aversion to transparency, the Budget Meeting is not listed on the front page of the Council’s website, in violation of the Open Meetings Act. Without a public notice, it is doubtful that residents will attend. This seems to be the Council’s intention.

The proposed budget includes:

SHOREHAM DOWNS PARK

• $12,000 allocated for park maintenance, with no increase to this budget line item.
• Approximately $26,000 allocated for park lawn and maintenance. The park has degraded substantially since President Clarke took over the council. However, the council only increased these budget lines by $4,000. Last year, the park was overrun with weeds, and it is doubtful whether $4,000 is enough to improve the park’s condition.
• $19,000 allocated for park lawn maintenance, an increase of $4,000 over last year.
• $150,000 allocated for park upgrades, a $130,000 increase over last year. Most of this money will be spent on upgrading the path in the park, which will be widened so that at least two people can walk on it simultaneously. No money has been allocated for the tennis courts. The council spent no money on park upgrades last year. Since the park is the only area of the village that can be enjoyed by the public, its dismal condition over the two years that the current president has been in charge demonstrates the council’s lack of interest in making Shoreham a community.

ROADS

• No money has been allocated for major upgrades to roads.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

• $3,500 allocated for community outreach. Last year, no money was spent by the council, further demonstrating their lack of interest in involving residents in community activities and ensuring Shoreham remains a vibrant community.