The Village of Rhinebeck Board of Trustees is grappling with a significant budget challenge as they plan for road repairs, with costs projected to exceed $500,000. During the recent meeting, officials discussed the financial implications of their road maintenance strategy, revealing that $265,000 of this amount would come from state funding known as CHIPS (Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program) and Real PAVE New York funds.

Trustees emphasized the importance of consolidating roadwork to reduce costs, particularly the expensive mobilization fees incurred each time equipment is moved for separate projects. By tackling multiple road repairs in one go, the village could significantly lower the unit price, making it more feasible to address a larger portion of their road network.

Currently, the village aims to repair approximately 2.5 to 3 miles of road, down from an initial estimate of 6.5 miles, due to budget constraints. The discussion highlighted the need for careful financial planning, as any expenses beyond the allocated state funds would need to be covered by the village's capital streets account or fund balance.

As the board prepares for future meetings, they are focused on finding a sustainable approach to road maintenance that balances cost with the need for infrastructure improvements. The outcome of these discussions will be crucial for the village's road repair strategy moving forward.