County Seals the Deal on $10M for Towns

By Holly Crocco

The Putnam County Legislature last week voted unanimously to move forward with providing $10 million to the towns and villages over the next two years, as opposed to $6.5 million by the end of 2026.

The proposal was brought forth by Legislator Toni Adonizzio, R-Kent, earlier this year, and was discussed and debated during prior committee meetings. It was proposed as an alternative to County Executive Kevin Byrne’s request to provide $6.5 million to the towns by the end of 2026 – a measure that legislators determined was nearly impossible considering there are only two months left in the year.

“By spreading this allocation over two years, we can provide a more predictable revenue,” said Adonizzio at the Nov. 4 Legislature meeting. “This will help our towns with essential services. There’s $5 million adopted in the 2027 budget by resolution, and another $5 million will be moved for 2028.”

The distribution of those funds will be based on population.

Legislator Amy Sayegh, R-Mahopac Falls, said that, in addition to increasing the amount going to the municipalities, this proposal allows for the proper planning, drafting, and signing of necessary intermunicipal agreements.

“Funding a project without proper planning, public input, or discussion is not the right approach,” she said. “It is imperative this process be done right, not fast.”

Kent Highway Superintendent Richard Othmer Jr. thanked the lawmakers for their vote.

“Whatever you can do to streamline it is appreciated because we have a short work season in the northeast,” he said. ‘Trucks take a year to order. What I order now, I’m not going to get until probably next July or August… It just takes a while to get these jobs going.”