East Hampton Finance Board Weighs Road Bonding As Repair Needs Reach $15M-$20M

EAST HAMPTON, CT — East Hampton could need an estimated $15 million to $20 million to address roads requiring rehabilitation while keeping other streets from deteriorating, town officials told the Board of Finance during a Sept. 21 discussion of possible road bonding.

No vote was taken on borrowing for road work. Finance board members agreed the issue should receive broader consideration as the town prepares for a Tri-Board meeting and upcoming capital planning discussions.

Public Works Director Matthew Walsh told the board East Hampton has 82 miles of paved roads and 10 miles of gravel roads. The town divides its roads into four categories based on their condition: 14 miles requiring no work, 42 miles needing routine maintenance, 21 miles needing minor rehabilitation and 15 miles requiring major rehabilitation.

Walsh said factors beyond funding affect the pace of road repairs, including staffing, material availability, weather, coordination with utility companies and the effects of road closures and detours.

The town's strategy of increasing its road repair budget each year had been helping address needs identified in road ratings conducted four years ago, Walsh said. But unforeseen projects can alter those plans. The Wopowog bridge replacement, for example, caused work on Daniel Street to be deferred, and the street moved from the minor rehabilitation category to the major rehabilitation category.

Officials estimated that addressing roads in the two rehabilitation categories while continuing to maintain roads in better condition could take as long as five years, at roughly 10 miles per year. Based on current costs, the work was estimated at $15 million to $20 million.

Board members also noted that road work would compete with other major capital needs under consideration, including a fire station, fire apparatus and a school HVAC project. A new road evaluation is underway, and members said they wanted to continue discussing road needs with the other town boards before capital deliberations begin.

Fund Balance At Top Of Policy Range

Finance Director Jeff Jylkka reported no issues with fiscal year 2027 revenue or expenditures to date.

Jylkka also reported that the town's unrestricted fund balance equaled 12 percent of the approved fiscal year 2026 budget. The town's policy guideline calls for a fund balance between 10 percent and 12 percent, placing the current figure at the top of that range.

Firehouse Maintenance Estimated At At Least $1 Million

Board member James Radavich reported that the Fire Site Committee had determined that the minimum maintenance needed for the town's existing firehouses would cost at least $1 million.

Radavich also reported that problems had been identified with the dry hydrant on Mott Hill, a recently retired vehicle would be retained for training and the fire department's rescue boat now has a slip provided by ACE Marine.

Board member David Caterisano reported that Everblue Lakes, the company managing the town's water treatment, is closing. He said the Lake Commission is assessing ownership of equipment and working through a request-for-proposals process as it plans for next year.

Daniel Finn reported that Board of Education member Kenneth Barber had resigned and that the school board was seeking a replacement.

The finance board approved its Aug. 17 meeting minutes by a 5-0-1 vote, with Chairman Anthony Spagnoletti abstaining. The board adjourned at 8:21 p.m.