When it comes to accounting terms, people usually nod just their heads upon hearing them not knowing what they really mean. For example, what is a “fund balance?” The answer to that question is extremely important for Saranac Lake and its public safety. Quite simply, our fund balance is the unspent money we have accumulated over the last 12 years, and that amount right now is close to $5 million, which is a lot of money.

On March 28, during its last regular meeting of this term, the village will host a public hearing and then vote on the idea of reserving half of that amount for a very important purpose: The replacement of our aged and decrepit fire house and police station. We may even combine the two into a public safety building with available space for our local rescue squad should it wish to be part of this initiative. The final product and its location will be the result of intensive planning, design and engineering with input from our public safety providers and the citizens of our community, but the earnest start of this journey will be March 28 should the resolution pass.

This reserve account will not increase taxes, as it will just allocate money already in our coffers.

When the money goes into this reserve account, it will not be “spent.” It will be merely set aside for the purpose of providing long-overdue and greatly-need facilities for our public safety departments.

Two-point-five million dollars will only cover about 25% of the total long-term construction costs, and it is a down payment on our village’s health and welfare. It is also an investment in the working conditions of our first responders, most of whom are unpaid volunteers, forsaking their free time and families to answer the call at all hours of the day and night to ensure our safety. They deserve a safe and clean work environment.

This reserve fund is only the starting point, but the exciting ending point will be facilities we urgently need. Did you know that our firetrucks must pull out of the station for firefighters to open the truck doors and get inside to answer a fire call? Did you know that we laid a steel plate over a large hole in the concrete floor so trucks and firefighters will not fall through to the cellar? Did you know that our 47-year-old police department facility does not have room for multiple arrestees? Did you know it does not have any private office space and only one working toilet?

We have heard a few comments about this reserve fund deserving of responses, such as what will happen to the other half of the fund balance? Answer: We should keep about $1.25 million, or 25% of our tax levy, as a contingency and could use the other $1.25 million for our streets, sidewalks, or parks. We could even use it to lower our tax rate. It will be up to the next mayor and board to decide its future. These monies are an opportunity for them and us.

Using the money for affordable housing is another refrain. If the next board wants to use some of that hard-earned village taxpayer money to subsidize vacant home renovation or home purchases, it is their call, but, remember, the village tax is a cost of owning a home, so we should first make sure that Saranac Lake taxpayers are not overburdened, and all our homes will be properly protected.

March 28 is a day of reckoning for our village. The price of neglect has caught up to us. It is time to use and invest our savings. It is time for Saranac Lake to do the right thing. Please attend this meeting at the town hall to voice your support. The discussion starts at 5:30 p.m.

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Clyde Rabideau is the mayor of Saranac Lake.