Inside Firestone

Firestone Board of Trustees Approves 2012 Budget

The Town of Firestone 2012 budget was approved at the Dec. 14, 2011, Board of Trustees. Director of Finance and Administration Ron Lay presented a completed budget for fiscal year 2012, highlighting previous presentations to Mayor Chad Auer and the Board of Trustees in November that allowed the board to review fund summaries for 2011, as well as the proposed 2012 budget.

“The budget was a result of hard work and perseverance of various staff members and the elected board representing the Town,” Lay said. “Keeping with the basic methodology introduced with this year’s budget, the 2012 budget preserves fund balances.”

Significant projects for 2012 included in the budget will be:

∙ Engineering design will begin in 2012 for an expansion of Firestone Boulevard from Interstate 25 to Birch Street to allow for greater traffic accessibility. Town Engineer Dave Lindsay said, “The Firestone Boulevard widening project will relieve a growing congestion problem between the Frontage Road and Birch Street by adding a general purpose lane for both eastbound and westbound traffic.”  The project will also include the addition of dual northbound left turn lanes from Birch Street onto westbound Firestone Boulevard. Lindsay further added that additional lanes and traffic signals will improve travel times, especially in morning and evening peaks. Construction will begin in 2013.  

∙ The MS4 Plan (Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System Plan) is a state/federal environmental requirement to be undertaken by highly urbanized communities. Now that the population in Firestone exceeds 10,000, it is likely that the town will be classified as urbanized as per the Environmental Protection Agency. Lindsay said, “Some of the program involves implementing design and construction standards that the town has actually been practicing for many years already. A public outreach and education program will be the primary goal in implementing the MS4 Plan.”

∙ Two new police vehicles will be purchased to retire ones with high mileage and ongoing repair needs.

∙ Onorato Park will get a new tennis court in the spring of 2012.

∙ A new backhoe will be leased for Public Works to continue their work throughout town.