A handful of residents attended the third “Coffee with Councilors” Saturday, this one hosted by Town Council members Sam Flinkstrom and Paul Schumacher, both serving their first term on the council.
The morning conversation March 28, which lasted an hour, turned to pedestrian safety, the town budget, and new costs projected for the renovation of Town Hall.
“Could there be a policy or law that property owners have to clear snow from their own sidewalks?” asked Shirley Jackson of Young Street. “The snow piles this winter were as tall as I am.”
“The short answer is no,” replied Schumacher. “That would solve one problem and create new ones.”
Asked about significant increases in the town budget, Schumacher responded, “The Fire Department’s budget request includes an increase of $1 million, reflecting a shift in how the Town manages emergency services.”
“The Town decided last year to end our contract with York (Ambulance) and establish our own local emergency services within the Fire Department,” he said. “This year we’re budgeting for 12 emergency personnel.”
The Town Council will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. April 14 on the municipal budget for fiscal year 2027 that begins July 1.
Concerns were raised at the coffee chat about progress with the Town Hall renovation project.
“Last week, the contractor overseeing the Town Hall renovation informed the council that a subcontractor had submitted a $143,00 request for additional funds,” Flinkstrom said. “It remains unclear whether this cost will be absorbed by the contractor’s contingency, or if the expense will come from the town’s owner contingency.”
Schumacher, who was hosting the monthly coffee chat a second time, noted that he campaigned for the council seat with a promise to meet informally with townspeople, a promise he hopes to keep.
“I pledged to hold these informal meetings with residents,” he said, “and I hope they will continue.”
