SABATTUS – Where did the money go?
That was a question asked at this week’s selectmen meeting in regard to money to replace and repair the town’s fuel tanks.
A number of years ago, the town had agreed to charge an additional 5 cents per gallon of vehicle fuel to help pay for future replacement and repair of fuel tanks. Thousands of dollars should have been saved by now, but there is only about $1,000.
Board members believe the 5 cents per gallon was filtered back into the surplus account and spent throughout the years.
“The best we can do is check with our fuel company and see how many gallons we have bought in the last few years and multiply that by 5 cents,” Selectman Guy Desjardins said. “We can’t really go back further than that, otherwise it will be like spending a paycheck twice; that money is already gone,” he said.
An fuel-tank escrow account has been established to receive funds from the 5-cent charge, and selectmen said they would watch the number monthly to insure the figure grows.
“We have accomplished a small victory,” Desjardins said. “We are now all on the same page, and we have some money in the account.”
As for where the money for the repairs will come from, selectmen said the issue has not been decided. The issue will be discussed at the next selectmen’s meeting in which all board members and town administrator are present.
Code Enforcement Officer Richard Behr has posted his winter hours. His office will not be opened for appointments on Thursdays from now until March, except for the first Thursday of each month. According to the town’s Web site, his office will be open from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays.
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