Mayor Tom Leighton and Councilman Jim McCarthy said they had received numerous concerned phone calls, but Leighton said he was not surprised citizens didn't pack chambers.
"I think people see we're doing the best we can with the deteriorated buildings, equipment and infrastructure we inherited," Leighton said.
As for when or if East Station, located on East Northampton Street, would reopen, Leighton said other stations also have problems and he will prioritize upkeep on the open stations if he has to.
The station was closed because water that has been leaking through the roof for years had started coming through light fixtures on the first-floor ceiling, causing a serious fire hazard.
Chief Jacob Lisman has said that while a roof repair at East Station might cost $10,000-$15,000, fixing the building's other problems could cost up to $80,000.
The 2005 budget includes $350,000 to build a new station that would replace recently closed Northeast Station and North Station. When McCarthy asked if some of those funds couldn't be used to fix up East Station, Leighton responded that those funds, which are slated to come from the Office of Community Development, must be used for new construction.
Leighton said that if East Station could not be repaired because of prohibitive costs, the city would look toward further Office of Community Development funds to build a new station in its place.
Lisman said the county will be able to use East Station, which is slated to hold three polling places, for the Nov. 2 election.
"We have isolated the faulty circuits and we will use temporary lighting that day," Lisman said.
In other business, council passed final reading on ordinances that will strengthen landlord/tenant regulation and bring city parking fines into line with state law.
