Paterson council gives preliminary approval to $10 million borrowing plan
By Jayed Rahman
Published: October 14, 2019
Municipal officials gave preliminary approval to a $10 million borrowing plan for sewer repairs, park and field improvements, modernization of construction permitting, road resurfacing, and equipment for public works.
Council members gave preliminary approval to the plan without opposition last Wednesday. Five bond measures were voted on just before 2 a.m.:
- $4 million for sewer repairs
- $1.73 million for fire equipment, library repairs, hardware and software for online permitting module for code enforcement, online planning and zoning module, and police body cameras.
- $1.68 million for public works equipment – pick-up trucks, rear loaders, a patch truck, a brush chipper, and snow trucks — and roof repairs at the public works headquarters.
- $1.18 million for installation of artificial turf field for soccer and football at Brandes Park; improvements to Bauerle Field House; and other parks and fields improvements.
- $1.44 million to resurface roads.
Some council members had long suggested mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration take steps to seriously invest in providing better services to residents. Among the suggestions were purchasing a second pothole patching truck, a chipper to process trees branches into wood chips, and acquisition of snow trucks.
The latest bonding measures push up the city’s total debt to $140.38 million, according to municipal records. Last fiscal year, the city budgeted $16.5 million for debt service.
A public hearing and final vote on the borrowing plan is scheduled for Nov. 26, 2019 at City Hall.
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