Berlin Budget Sets Tax Levy Increase At 2.3%

by Kieron Kramer
At their regular meeting on Thursday, November 8, the Berlin Town Board voted unanimously, 4-0, to adopt the 2013 budget with a 2.3% tax levy increase. Board Member John Winn was absent having been called to duty by his employer, the State Highway Department. The increase complies with the State mandated 2% tax increase cap which allows for a “tax base growth factor,” based on the inflation rate calculated by the State, and “the tax levy necessary for pension contribution expenditures caused by growth in the [pension] system average… in excess of 2%.” [private]When combined with the Fire District budgeted tax levy increase of 3%, which is included in the Town budget document even though the Fire District is its own municipality and holds its own budget vote, Berliners will see a 2.6% tax increase. This amounts to an increase of about 38 cents per $1,000 of property value or about a $19 increase in annual property taxes for a property worth $50,000. Of course County and School District taxes will be added on to the tax bill.
A public hearing was held at 7 pm before the regular meeting during which Town Supervisor Rob Jaeger distributed a sheet of paper which listed the “budget highlights” in lieu of the 20 page detailed preliminary budget document that has been distributed in the past. Since the preliminary budget was posted on the Town website (http://berlin-ny.us/) it could have been reviewed or printed out by the two Berlin residents who attended the hearing Thursday. No comments were made by the public.
Panels were up surrounding the alcove in the back of the Town Hall because Justice Donald W. Sweet was hearing an arraignment by two State Troopers. The comments from the Justice’s area could be heard during the regular meeting that followed. More room anyone?
The highlights, according to Jaeger, with corrections in the final adopted budget as posted on November 10, showed a 2.1%, or $375 total, increase in the salaries paid to the two justices and the court clerk, a 2% increase in Bookkeeper services, up $164, in the tax collector’s salary, up $63, in the three assessors’ salaries, up $370 in total, in Dog Control services, up $110, and in the Town Clerk’s salary, up $194. Highway employees, during both the regular season and the snow plowing season will receive only a 1/2% increase, up $716 in total. Leonard Clapp, Supervisor of the seasonal Water District #1, will receive an increase of $150, and Jim Winn, who supervises Water District #2, will receive $300 more, a 3.1% increase in both cases. The expenses of Water District #1 are passed through to the users of that water district. Water District #2 collects revenue for usage that is supposed to cover expenses.
Other budget increases over the 2012 budget include $5,000, from $19,000 to $24,000, in property and liability insurance because of the expected addition of the Berlin Lumber property to the Town inventory, $3,312 in health benefits for Town employees, $500 in building expenses, $500 in increased garbage hauling expenses and $8,000 in salary increase for Highway Superintendent Jim Winn.
According to Jaeger there are three reasons for the 25% increase for Winn, from $32,000 to $40,000. The first is the recognition of the fine job Winn has done. The second is the need to keep Winn’s salary above that of the Deputy Superintendent, an employee whose wages, because of the union contract, would be higher than Winn’s. The third reason is that $40,000 for the position is “in line” with the amount paid to highway superintendents in neighboring towns, Jaeger said.
Reductions in the budget compared to the previous year include $2,000 less in garage expenses, $1,000 compared to $3,000, because it is expected that the Town will no longer have to rent garage space during the winter from Green Renewable at the former Cowee’s site. Zoning Board expenses will go down to $3,000 from $5,800, a 48.3% deduction, and Planning Board expenses are budgeted to go from $6,050 to $3,000, a 50.4% deduction. The savings in both boards comes primarily from dropping the legal services, which are no longer needed, that were used for the development of the updated land use regulations and the establishment of the Wind Energy Law that was adopted in March of 2012.
Not on Jaeger’s highlights list but also important are the expense lines that will remain the same. The Town Supervisor and the Town Board Members will take no increase in remuneration.  The Town Supervisor receives $8,240 and the Board Members $2,000 each. The Building Inspector will continue at $9,500. The programs for the aging remain at $5,400, and the funding for the library will remain at $7,500. Celebrations stays the same at $1,600; this helps fund the Berlin July Fourth Parade. The Historian’s expenses will remain the same at $1,000 which includes $800 for the Historian’s services. The Youth Programs will receive $10,800. This budget line remains the same as last year even though about $1,000 in State reimbursements will not be forthcoming because Berlin has pulled out of the reimbursement program. As last year, no money is budgeted for beautification or sidewalk repairs.
“Everybody got less than they asked for,” Jaeger said.
Truck Purchase
Highway Superintendent Jim Winn presented the specifications and final cost of a new tandem axle dump and plow truck. The cab and chassis for the International Truck will cost $126,500 and the equipment, that is the dump body, the plow, the sander, the hydraulic lines and controls will cost $72,695, for a total of $199,195. The total includes the cost of  an automatic transmission $13,000 and a five year extended warranty on the motor and transmission for $1.850. The truck and equipment will be purchased from Delurey Sales and Service in North Hoosick. The truck is already in Hoosick, but it will take months to install the equipment, so the truck will not be in service during this snow plowing season, Winn said. Purchasing now locks in the prices, he added.
The FEMA reimbursements for work to repair the damage caused by tropical storm Irene last year and the money in the 2012 budget for installment payments on the truck, $19,000, will pay for the equipment costs. The cost of the cab and chassis will be financed by a seven year loan with First Niagara Bank at an interest rate of 2.954%.
The Board authorized Supervisor Jaeger, in a motion exquisitely worded by Town Attorney Don Tate, to sign the agreement to purchase the new truck and the loan agreement with the bank.
A Sad Tale?
Nicholas Adams, who is Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals, is appealing for help to recover his big white dog. It ran away during the mammoth storm Sandy at the end of October. The dog is a maremma, a breed used for guarding livestock. Adams’ dog usually stays outside with the livestock, but during the storm Adams’ silo blew down and scared the dog enough that it jumped the four foot fence and took off. It has been seen around but hasn’t come home as of this meeting.
Due to space considerations the rest of the Berlin Town Board report will appear next week.[/private]