Rye Brook trustees accept $959,752 EPA sewer grant, amend capital budget

Rye Brook — The Village of Rye Brook Board of Trustees on June 9 approved capital budget amendments to accept a $959,752 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a village sewer-infrastructure repair project and restated several capital project budgets for fiscal year 2026–27.

Administrator Chris told the board the village will advance funds from the general fund to complete required work and then request reimbursement under the EPA program. Trustees were told the grant increases the project total and the village’s modified budget for sewer repairs to roughly $1.259 million, which includes the village’s $300,000 contribution. The board approved the grant acceptance and associated transfers unanimously.

The resolution also authorized several smaller transfers and adjustments: a transfer totaling $7,081.70 to fund the replacement of a highway dump truck, a $6,000 transfer from a sewer account to fund HVAC work for a police–fire training-room renovation, and a $5,500 net decrease related to an EV staff vehicle purchase after rebate changes. Officials emphasized the changes are net-zero to village taxpayers because the grant and transfers do not raise the tax levy.

Trustees asked procedural questions about timing, noting the paperwork for the federal funds took several years to clear and that the village wants to time expenditures and reimbursements to align with the fiscal year. Staff advised that advancing funds and requesting reimbursement is standard under the grant terms.

Next steps: The board’s action recognizes and accepts the EPA grant and restates the capital budgets; staff will proceed with project accounting and request reimbursement from the EPA as work is performed.