(2/10) Commissioners where told at their February Town Council meeting that the town had brought in $371,917 more in revenue then went out last year in expenses.

The surplus, according to Town Manager Cathy Willets, was a result of very conservative spending in 2021 by the town because of the uncertainty with COVID-19.

"We basically cut 25 percent out of the budget, fortunately the town was not hit this hard, and we did have excess revenues," she said.

The council approved a transfer of $21,400 from the surplus to cover costs for items in the General Fund budget, including $6,000 to cover department legal fees, and $400 to the Main Street America affiliate program.

$15,000 was transferred to the town’s workman’s compensation program and $10,000 to the pension fund to cover increases in costs in theses state run programs.

The council also approved transfers from the surplus into capital projects, including $97,144 which is to be allocated to stormwater management, including permit restoration requirements, and reducing flooding at Cedar Avenue. $30,000 will be appropriated toward everything related to water and sewer infrastructure as well as stormwater facilities.

$25,000 will be transferred for a new Public Works Department air compressor. Willets noted the current compressor is used frequently by the department and it is difficult to get parts for since it is 30 years old. $8,373 is to be allocated into funds for needed curbs, sidewalks, and road repair.

$25,000 will be transferred for tree projects, such as addressing safety issues of dead trees in various town parks.

Approximately $81,500 will be appropriated to the town’s match reserve to pay for the town’s ballpark restroom and concession stand project. The total project is estimated at $320,000 with a 25 percent match from Project Open Space.

$28,500 will be allocated toward finishing the historic walking tour and putting up one way signs at the Emergency Management Institute (and one at the former Saint Joseph’s Academy. $15,300 will be applied toward completing holiday decoration displays throughout town.

Willets also recommended the Council approve the purchase of a new electronic message board to replace the old sign outside the town building.

In an effort to continuously look to get the news out to citizens without access to the internet and keep in touch with the community, the new electric sign will post reminders as well as up to date alerts. As opposed to manually changing letters on the current sign, "It’s an interactive sign we can control from here," Willets said.

The sign has been approved by the county and the electronic system will be accessible for officials to post notices such as Amber Alerts and weather warnings. "We can share a lot more than we’ve been able to [in the past]," she said.

Because the estimated price is expected to be over $50,000 the purchase of the signboard will come back to the council for final approval.