Lysander Highway Superintendent Gene Dinsmore clashed with the town board over spending in the highway department during the board’s budget work session Oct. 15.
Dinsmore has asked the board for $1,500 for computer upgrades and $700 for “electronic aids and survey equipment” for the 2016 budget, but board members said his justifications for these expenses were too vague.
Comptroller David Rahrle said the highway department could use the $1,500 for software support because Gasboy, the town’s fleet fuel management software, has become less reliable recently.
“I’m hearing $2,200 of unexplainable expenses,” Councilor Bob Geraci said.
Dinsmore said he wanted $700 for a tablet computer or other equipment to access information about property lines, roads, drainage easements and more while in the field. He said town engineer Al Yager and his interns are compiling and mapping such data, but highway employees don’t have a way to access this data on the job.
Similarly, Baldwinsville’s Department of Public Works began implementing a geographic information system (GIS) in August to map out the village’s water system. DPW employees can access a map and data about the water system via a tablet computer or smartphone.
“Al [Yager] has a few things, and I have nothing,” Dinsmore said. “We would like to have some money so that we could expand our capabilities. If you want to keep us in the 1950s, that’s OK by me.”
Supervisor John Salisbury told Dinsmore that Yager has been specific in his requests for funding for equipment, and the board is asking for the same specificity from the highway department.
“When [Recreation Supervisor] Tony Burkinshaw comes in, he specs out equipment, and we may not give it to him, but he tells us exactly what he wants to buy,” Geraci said.
Councilor Andy Reeves also criticized Dinsmore’s vague budget requests.
“You can’t give us a cost analysis or breakdown and you’re half the budget,” Reeves said.
“I feel foolish to approve a budget for $800,000 with no backup,” Salisbury said.
Dinsmore said he had provided the town board with all the invoices he had for the highway department’s services.
While the board ultimately approved a $1,500 budget transfer to the highway department for signage, they questioned Dinsmore in the work session about staying within his budget. Dinsmore said he has to replace road signs that are damaged or faded per state law.
“I have no intention of ever spending money that’s not budgeted — it just causes too much trouble,” Dinsmore said. “However, I do have to stay abreast of the law and public safety.”
During the work session, the town board also discussed setting aside $75,000 of highway money in a contingency account so the board in 2016 can discuss the creation of a deputy highway superintendent position. Of this amount, Salisbury said $45,000 would cover the salary and benefits of a part-time deputy.
During the public comment period, resident Jim Stirushnik asked about town historian Bonnie Kisselstein’s budget transfer request for $50. Salisbury said it was to purchase frames for the historical maps on display in the town hall and that it was not a major purchase.
“But at the same time the town board [discussed] transfer of funds for the highway department regarding signage, which is required by state law and involves the safety, health and welfare of the citizens.” Stirushnik said. “The town would be responsible if somebody had an accident if the signage was incorrect and you had not replaced it. You had a considerable period of discussion and seemed to make an emphasis … that the highway superintendent make his budget before he spends money. No one in the town should exceed their budget without getting prior [approval] and it is the responsibility of this board to see that this is done.”
