by David Flint
Under a new local law passed by the Stephentown Town Board on Monday, all Stephentown veterans of the Cold War will now become eligible for a Town tax exemption on the assessed value of their real property. A Cold War veteran is defined as any person who served on active duty in the United States armed forces during the time period from September 2, 1945, to December 26, 1991, and was discharged or released under honorable conditions. Under this law veterans who served between World War II and the Korean War, between the Korean War and the Vietnam War and between Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War will now be eligible for a 10% exemption. Persons who served during the period of those wars have been eligible for an exemption of 25% if they served in a war zone or 15% if not in a war zone. Disabled veterans have received a 50% exemption.
The option of granting property tax exemptions for Cold War veterans was introduced by Town Assessor Tom MacVeigh at the Stephentown Town Board meeting last June. A public hearing was scheduled for September, but MacVeigh was not present to answer questions so a second hearing was scheduled for November. In December the Board set another public hearing for February and following that hearing this past Monday evening, the Board passed a resolution enacting the law. Deputy Assessor Joan MacVeigh pointed out that the law was not passed in time for it to take effect this year, so new exemptions will start next year. Those who believe they qualify for the new exemption must file with the Assessor’s Office.
Town Opts For Lower Rate
The Town had the option of granting an exemption at the level of 10% of assessed value, not to exceed $8,000, or at the level of 15%, not to exceed $12,000. Tom MacVeigh had recommended the 15% level. Following the passing of the resolution he objected that he had been told by Town Supervisor Tom Sherman that the Board would opt for 15%. Sherman, however, insisted that neither he nor the Board had ever made such a commitment but that the intent had always been to go with 10%.
Nora Way To Become
Nora Lane
The Board unanimously passed a resolution that will finally make Nora Way in North Stephentown a Town road. The Town will actually take over title to the roadway which makes it one of only three or four roads in Stephentown actually owned by the Town. Since a “Way” indicates a private road, residents were asked how they preferred the road to be named. There appeared to be some consensus for “Nora Lane.”
Councilman Larry Eckhardt asked whether this action would set a precedent for the Town to take responsibility for other private roads. Brian Baker said he believed it does become a precedent but that the Board can distinguish any subsequent request in the Town’s best interest.
Finances Allow For Reserve Funds
Sherman announced that the Town had closed out the 2008 fiscal year in better shape than expected. He said that cost cutting measures had turned a $69,000 deficit in the General Fund into a $22,000 surplus. The Highway budget, he said, had also been reduced by 14.5%, and, with additional CHIPS revenue received, the Highway fund also ended up with a surplus in the amount of $41,579. It had not been necessary to draw down anything from the fund balance. He noted that the Youth Commission expects to see a revenue decrease of 6% this year, but all in all, he said, the Town was “positioned financially to weather the storm in 2009.” The surpluses from 2008, he said, would enable the Board to set up reserve funds to keep buildings in shape and maybe even to purchase another piece of equipment for the Highway Department.
The Board then proceeded to pass two resolutions, one setting up a Capital Reserve Fund in the General Fund with an initial amount of $22,060 and another establishing a Capital Reserve Fund in the Highway Fund with an initial amount of $41,579.
Vacation And Sick Time
To comply with a 1992 statement of the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB), the Board passed a resolution setting out how the Town will compensate employees for accrued vacation and sick leave. Sherman said it was not fair that employees who cannot take vacation time when they want to should lose that time if they do not use it. The resolution permits employees to accrue up to 15 vacation days. Employees with 15 years of service will be eligible to receive 40% compensation for unused sick leave up to a maximum of 30 days. The Town Supervisor will be required to keep a balance sheet of these accruals and report them to the Office of the State Comptroller.
Mileage Rate Revised
The Board passed a resolution revising the mileage reimbursement rate for use of a personal car on official business that was set at the January Organizational meeting. The rate of 58 cents they set in January was the rate the IRS was using last year but that rate had been revised downward to 55 cents. The Board decided to continue to use the IRS rate and so they likewise revised the Town rate downward to 55 cents.
One Stray Dog
Councilman Chris Demick reported for the Dog Control Officer Lynne Burns that there had been only one stray dog in the past month. Aside from that, Burns noted that she had visited Berlin High School and spoke with the senior students about Buster’s Law and about the role and functions of town Animal Control Officers and Dog Control Officers.
A Light For The Spring?
There was some discussion about the feasibility of installing a solar powered light at the popular spring on Route 22 near the intersection with Grange Hall Road where many people stop to fill up containers with fresh water. The location, however, is believed to be on State land, and Board members and others advised caution in opening any negotiations with the State lest they decide to shut down the spring. PJ Roder suggested that any improvement made by the Town to the spring might have the result of giving the Town responsibility and making it liable for any problems that might arise.
Uniform Stipends Are Out
Joel Hunt asked about uniforms for the Highway Department. Sherman said the Town is now providing uniforms again and the decision made last August to give employees a stipend to provide and care for their own uniforms has been rescinded. Uniforms are being provided by the Unifirst Corporation. Sherman said negotiations are ongoing with that company but that no contract had yet been signed.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk reported she had turned over to the Supervisor the sum of $416.35 for the month of January. The distribution from the Office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund to the Town for the month of January was $2,072.06. The Transfer Station deposited a total of $3,564.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $17,897.96 from the General Account and $24,016.68 from the Highway Account.
The Board set their next regular meeting for Monday, March 16, at 7 pm.