Sweden officials happy with early budget reports

Department heads were commended by Sweden Town Board officials at their January 23 meeting for their ability to bring budgets in under projected figures, specifically in the Senior Center and the Recreation Center programs.

"At the Rec Center, the employee compensation line is 50 percent over estimates but even with that, the center is eight percent under budget and has brought in 11 percent more revenue than anticipated," Councilman Rob Carges said. "The director (David Scott) is to be commended."

Councilman Thomas Ferris said that Senior Center Director Nancy Duff has decided that based on the kitchen needs, she was able to cut back on hours. "The hours required in the kitchen are less and Nancy has decided she can get by with less hours than the board had allocated," he said. "She came to us and recommended using less hours and staff. It's rare that a department head comes to us and says they can cut back on their budgeted hours."

Ferris also reported that Duffy said the response has been positive to the change-over in food service. "She did say they received a couple of complaints during the initial start-up phases but she said she is delighted with the way things are going."

During the board's recent budget discussions and budget adoption, it was decided as a cost savings to taxpayers to turn the food preparation service over to ABVI's food services, at a tax savings of more than $50,000 to residents in the town.

In other matters the board:

•Heard from resident Robert Canham, a member of the informal group, Citizens for Open Government in Sweden (COGS), asking that the town implement mission statements for the Senior Center and Recreation Center. "The people outside of the organizations, as well as inside, should know the purpose and aims of the centers," Canham said.

•Councilwoman Patricia Connors said the Community Awards banquet was scheduled for April 18 and would likely be held at the Sweden Recreation Center.

•Councilwoman Danielle Windus-Cook said her Farmer's Museum committee had scheduled a Harvest Fest for September 22.

•Superintendent of Public Works Fred Perrine said the sewer line work on Redman Road would be wrapped up before the end of January.

January 28, 2007