Board of Trustees Work Session
Infrastructure Fails and Budget Plans Collide: Croton Village Weighs Costs of Aging Water Mains and Winter Overtime
Mar 26, 2026
11866 words transcribed
The Croton-on-Hudson Board of Trustees began budget deliberations for the 2026-27 fiscal year against the backdrop of a major water main break on Olcott Avenue, caused by pipes dating back to 1908. Village officials detailed rising costs in snow removal and waste disposal while grappling with the reality of the village's aging infrastructure.
Chapters
59:35
Consider authorizing the Village Manager to accept the proposal from Axon Enterprise for a police department body-warn camera (BWC) program in the total amount of $414,301.36.
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Key Actions & Decisions
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**Water Main Emergency**: Village crews repaired a catastrophic failure on Olcott Avenue caused by cast iron pipes installed in 1908.
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**Snow Removal Budget**: The Board proposed a $68,000 increase for snow removal and overtime, citing a "winter from hell" and rising labor rates.
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**Sanitation Costs**: Budgeted a $12,000 increase for refuse collection due to rising Westchester County tipping fees.
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**Recycling Revenue**: Village officials noted that dog license revenue fully funds animal control, while recycling revenue helps offset sanitation costs.
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**Building Maintenance**: Decreased the public buildings maintenance budget by $7,550 to save funds for an upcoming engineering department renovation.
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**DPW Air Quality**: Established a five-year cycle for duct cleaning across municipal buildings, including the firehouses and DPW facility.
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**Traffic Safety**: Added $1,500 to the traffic control budget for rising costs of street signs and potential bike infrastructure.
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**Contingency Planning**: Acknowledged vulnerability to fuel price spikes in the flat fuel budget, with contingency funds as a backstop.