North Salem · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in North Salem, NY public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
2027 Tentative Budget
Police want tasers (a five-year, $10,795 agreement) and a new hybrid cruiser; recreation reports meals-on-wheels demand has roughly doubled and requests staffing and budget line changes. Board members urged hunting for grants to offset the taser cost.
2025 Town Audit Findings
The town's finances are in good shape: the general fund outperformed budget by nearly $600,000 and carries a healthy 36% fund balance. But the Peach Lake Sewer District sits on a large cushion while aging pumps start to fail, and small water districts run dangerously thin.
DeLancey Hall renovation change orders and procurement
The town is spending another $33,907 on change orders to finish the DeLancey Hall interior — carpet removal, wall and plaster repair. Councilwoman Daniels argues the work should have been competitively bid under the procurement policy; the supervisor says union labor rates drive the cost and the project needs to wrap up by October.
Alinga Construction payment and punch-list work
The town's engineers found unfinished punch-list work on the Alinga Construction project, so the board paid only 80% of the invoice and is holding the rest until the work is done.
DeMayo v. North Salem legal costs and budget coding
The town is moving $30,000 to the special counsel line to cover legal bills in the DeMayo lawsuit, and board members noticed justice court legal bills have been charged to the wrong budget line — something they'll need to clean up.
Final payment to Tundra Contracting Group
The town board took up a resolution authorizing what's labeled the third and final payment to its contractor Tundra Contracting Group, Inc. This closes out the financial side of whatever project the contract covered.
Highway Truck Purchases
Two new trucks for the highway department were up for purchase, with quotes from VanBortel totaling roughly $165,000. The board was also scheduled to discuss the purchases in its worksession.
Proposed Building Department fee increases
The board was scheduled to consider raising fees charged by the Building Department, which handles permits and inspections. That could mean higher costs for homeowners and contractors taking on projects in town.
Local law to amend Taxation chapter (Chapter 8)
The board was set to schedule a public hearing on a local law amending the town's taxation chapter. Residents would get a chance to weigh in before any changes take effect.