Village Taxes To Increase 6.5% – Water/Sewer Rates Unchanged

by Bea Peterson
The Village Board met on Tuesday, April 20, for the organizational meeting and budget hearing. Changes in the budget that Mayor Matt Monahan noted included the result of a big turnout on Grievance Day, substantially reduced ticket sales at the Transfer Station and increased Court fines. He anticipates CHIPS money will decrease from $92,000 to $75,000 and State Aid will be $54,000 less. There will be no increase in pay for employees or Board members. Dispatch equipment must be upgraded. There was a surplus in snow removal. Fringe benefits for employees show the largest increase. Insurance premiums are up $27,000 and retirement benefits increased $21,000. $100,000 was taken from the Village fund balance for this budget. The tax rate is $56.70 per thousand of assessed property value, a 6.5% increase.
Dispatch
The Mayor explained that the cost to operate Dispatch this coming year will be $160,000. The cost is split in thirds. One third comes from the general fund, and one third each from Water and Sewer which is why those bills are as high as they are. Should Dispatch be dissolved, which may never happen, there would be no cost savings the first year as the money would go for unemployment benefits and other expenses.
The Mayor commended Wastewater Plant operator Dan Merrill and Water Treatment operator Jim Hurlburt for their comprehensive budgets. The increases in the water budget will come from that department’s fund balance. The Mayor pointed out that this year the bond payment for the Water Plant is $115,000. Next year the bond payment will be $210,000. He hopes that increase will be offset “when we go to metered billing pretty quick.”
Bucket Loader
With the budget increasing once again, the last thing Board members wanted to hear was that a piece of equipment was in need of repair. The bucket loader is eight years old and gets daily use for highway, water and sewer. The latest repair needed is $15,000. It has already required several other repairs. The Board reluctantly, but unanimously agreed to purchase a new bucket loader for $115,000 instead. With trading in the old machine the cost for the new one will be $84,000. Several years ago $30,000 was set aside for a trash compactor. Since the Village no longer has a landfill, there is no need for a compactor, so that money will be put toward the bucket loader. $25,000 from CHIPS money will also be applied to the cost, reducing the amount to be bonded to $29,000. The new bucket loader will not arrive for three months, and the company will let the Village have a loaner without charge until the new one arrives. The purchase will be made under state contract. The Board was reminded that the backhoe is a 2001 model and may need to be replaced at some point. Trustee Bob Downing lamented that the Village has never been able to set aside money for equipment to prevent events like this.
Well 7
Jim Hurlburt reported that Well 7 keeps shutting down because the screen is blocked with iron and manganese. It is the only well that was not “rehabbed” as part of the new Water Plant project. That should be done every five to seven years, and Well 7 was put in in 2001 and has never been “rehabbed.” The cost is $16,470  to pull out the pumps and sleeves and blow out the screen. At the same time they will recondition the motor and check all the wiring. The “rehabbing” was approved.
1 School Street
Property owner Bill Ingwersen appeared before the Board regarding problems with his 1 School Street property. He apologized to the Board for renting without a Certificate of Occupancy. He said he had written to the Building Inspector asking that the C of O be permitted before the tree line was put in. He tried contacting the Inspector by phone to no avail, and he had no response to his letter. Half of the Board knew nothing about the letter.
Ingwersen pointed out that the taxes on his building are paid, so is the water and sewer. He pays the folks that work for him, and he has allowed neighbors to park on his property. He said in four and a half years he has had five tenants and there has never been a disturbance or a call to the Police about any of them. He pointed out that he uses local services and businesses and that he has built quality apartments that exceed the standard of the Village. He said he has gone along with what the Village wanted without an argument. “I have been patient with you,” he said. “Have you been patient with me?” He said the tree line will be put in on Saturday and “you have my blessing to choose wherever the trees go.” He said he removed the handicapped ramp as he was asked. He has provided the Mayor with references. “I do what I say I’m going to do,” he added. He said he has a very small budget and the trees are costing 30% more than he anticipated. Having finished apartments he is unable to rent is also costing him money. He explained why there are three cars at one apartment and why a child is seen at another apartment. He said he did not recall in the stipulations set forth before the project began that there could be no pets. He also pointed out the dumpster is exactly where it was located on the original plan, and he knows that is not the appropriate place for it, and it will be moved and enclosed.
Patti and Bernie Zilinskas, who were also at the meeting, were not appeased in the least by Ingwersen’s comments. They claim he is not sticking to the contingencies set in place before the project started. It turns out the issue with the cats is that there are several in the neighborhood already that congregate on the Zilinskas property. “I have no issue with pets,” Pattie said. “I have an issue with people not taking care of their pets.”
Mayor Monahan said, “I wish we could wrap this up in a nice little package tonight, but we can’t.” The Board agrees all the contingencies should be met. “We will address this, and I will take it under consideration and present it to the Court because citations have been issued,” the Mayor said.
Boards Need Members
While reading the organizational portion of his report Mayor Monahan pointed out that a Chairperson is needed for the Zoning Board and that the Planning and Community Development Board also has a vacancy. The Mayor encouraged residents to volunteer for these posts.