by AnnGardner Eubank
IRVINGTON—The Irvington Town Council continues to refine an alternative solution to a widely requested public referendum for incurring public debt. Meanwhile, additional public input is requested.
In September, council member Mary Cary Bradley initiated a discussion regarding a potential ordinance to increase input from parties responsible for future debt repayment.
The ordinance would develop additional requirements to allow for those who would shoulder the debt more opportunity to share their concerns.
At the Thursday, October 10, meeting Bradley came to council with a more refined outline. According to Bradley, the ordinance would include a public hearing on the debt to be incurred with an additional public meeting enabling dialogue among council and residents. It would also incorporate a form of informal and non-binding vote to help gauge public opinion.
Bradley additionally suggested the ordinance allow 10 business days between the hearing and the meeting in order for council and staff to address concerns and comments shared during the hearing.
Bradley also provided thresholds that would trigger the ordinance when incurring a debt. For instance, she said one way to determine the threshold would….
