BROOKHAVEN, N.Y. – The issue of vehicle control in the town of Brookhaven has been at the epicenter of controversy for the past year. In the most recent round of controversy, Second District Councilwoman Jane Bonner and Sixth District Councilman Keith Romaine recently called for the elimination of taxpayer-funded vehicles, gas, insurance, repairs and maintenance for certain town personnel, according to www.zwire.com.

Republicans made the highway superintendent’s alleged out-of-state use of his town-issued car during a non-business trip a campaign issue in the last election. Then, kicking off his second term as town supervisor, Democrat Brian Foley called for tighter control of the municipality’s vehicular fleet, proposing the placement of global positioning systems in all cars. When the GPS concept was met by opposition, elected officials established a panel to explore the feasibility of GPS implementation.

However, the city might do away with the use of a number of these taxpayer-funded vehicles. Positions such as commissioners, deputy commissioners, division heads, and certain management and administrative staffers who do not require vehicles as part of their daily duties would be included in this latest measure. Up to 15 cars could be removed, and any cars presently assigned that become undesignated will either go into the pool, or those with excess mileage and a history of repairs could be auctioned.

Among his recommendations, Foley has called for comprehensive mileage logs for each vehicle; a more detailed fiscal analysis of the cost to operate vehicles and prohibiting gas credit card use, except in certain circumstances; a computerized vehicle inventory system and GPS tracking system on employee vehicles; reallocating vehicles to departments based on demonstrated need rather than past practice; and the creation of a town vehicle policy.

A full plan will be brought to the table for the town board to vote on Apr. 3.