Controversial GPS Proposal Approved

Over strong objections from Riverhead Town Supervisor Sean Walter, the town board voted on Tuesday to outfit the town's highway department vehicles with GPS devices.

In recent weeks, Local President of the Civil Service Employees Association Matt Hattorff blasted the proposal, stating that the cost of approximately $20,000 was too high and unnecessary -- and n. He has e in December.

On Tuesday, Walter said the cost of approximately $20,000 a year, over three years -- for a total cost of $60,000 -- was too high and not budgeted for. 

Councilman George Gabrielsen said the money in Highway Superintendent George "Geo" Woodson's reserve fund was "dwindling" and he'd like to keep the resolution tabled for a few years until the economic forecast improved.

But Councilwoman Jodi Giglio countered that the Woodson is an elected official who needs the devices to manage his department and that the GPS devices would result in fuel savings. 

"I owe it to him, and out of respect to the office, to allow him to use the money in his budget the way he wants to," she said.

Gabrielsen said it is the charge of the town board to practice fiscal responsibility.

Councilman Jim Wooten said the GPS systems would ensure accountability among town employees.

The question, said Councilman John Dunleavy, involves safety concerns and said in the past on snow days or in emergencies, when residents have called the highway department, it was not immediately clear where the town's highway vehicles were located.

Walter said while he believes the GPS systems are an excellent way to ensure employee safety and a good managmeent tool, the "fundamental problem" is that two years ago, Woodson had a 50 percent surplus in his reserve fund. Then, $700,000 was used to pay for salt barns; recently, the board approved a resolution to transfer an additional $740,000 from the town highway department's reserve fund -- a move that Walter said was "reckless" and would leave the highway department's reserve fund woefully depleted.

The transfer, Walter added, left the highway department's reserve fund at approximately 19 percent. According to a resolution passed by the town, that number cannot go below 15 percent, Walter reminded.

"In two years, he wiped out his reserve funds," Walter said.

Approximately $330,000 of the funding will be used to purchase a new front end loader and sweeper, with $40,000 allocated for oil and stone, Walter said. The remainder of the funds will be used for road repaving -- and to pay back "improperly allocated" Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), funds.

"We're in tough times," Walter said this week. "We all have to make decisions about what we can afford.  This is something I don't think the town can afford now."

He added that down the line, when the economy improves, he would support the purchase.

Despite the supervisor's protests, the resolution was adopted.

Hattorff did not immediately return a call for comment.

Do you think the town should be spending money for GPS systems for the highway department? Share your thoughts in the comment section.