North Stonington — Although residents once again approved an additional appropriation for a Small Town Economic Assistance Program grant, the debate over exactly where to house the funds in the town's coffers continued.

When voters approved an additional appropriation for a $245,400 STEAP grant Oct. 20, the wording they read didn't explain into which town account that money would be placed.

At Monday's special town meeting, residents were given the opportunity to review and vote upon the Board of Finance's original destination for the funds: putting the grant money into the town capital nonrecurring account.

Town Treasurer Robin Roohr arrived at Monday's special meeting with a written amendment to the motion, asking those present to allow the funds to be placed in the town's capital project fund instead.

The debate between the two accounts is one First Selectman Nick Mullane and Board of Finance member Emil Pavlovics said has been going on for almost 20 years.

But Roohr said auditor Sandra Welwood and bond counsel Doug Gillette have advised the town not to use the capital nonrecurring account for specific projects.

"If we do not move the funds, we are going to be written up in our audit," Roohr said.

Pavlovics said the amendment goes against the Board of Finance's longstanding majority recommendation, and Selectman Bob Testa, too, objected to it.

"I don't think this is the forum to try and override the Board of Finance," Testa said. "The reason to put this on the agenda was to reaffirm the wishes of the Board of Finance when this appropriation was granted by the people."

Testa said he believes if the account chosen is altered, "the original vote becomes null and void."

Pavlovics said Roohr's proposed amendment "has no statutory authority" because the Board of Finance did not recommend the money be taken out of the capital nonrecurring account.

"The key is 'recommend,'" Roohr answered, explaining that town meeting decisions are allowed to deviate from the board's recommendation.

Testa reminded Mullane of the June 16 Board of Selectmen meeting where the selectmen set the wording and the date of the special town meeting.

At the time, all three seemed to agree to first clarify the Oct. 20 vote and then worry about moving the money around at a later date.

Selectman Mark Donahue, for example, said having the town meeting item read "capital nonrecurring fund" would be "consistent with our passed action."

Mullane added that if the Board of Finance accepted Gillette's opinion, then the money would be moved from the capital nonrecurring to the capital projects fund.

Ultimately, residents passed the amendment and the amended motion 8-7 Monday. The grant money will be used to extend the village water line by 1,500 feet.

Residents also approved by a vote of 9-3 a request from the town's resident state troopers for a $25,700 state Department of Transportation rural road grant.

The portion used for equipment, $4,000, is 100 percent reimbursable, while the remainder is 90 percent reimbursable. That leaves the town with a cost of $2,170.

The resident state troopers plan to purchase a second solar-powered speed display, which shows residents how fast they're going as they drive past, with the $4,000. It will be similar to the sign currently on Wyassup Road near the fairgrounds.

The troopers then plan to use the remaining funds to increase patrols in rural problem areas that may not always get as much attention as other regions of town.

l.boyle@theday.com

Twitter: @LindsayABoyle