by David Flint
Following several budget workshop meetings and two public hearings, the Stephentown Town Board finally adopted the 2014 budget on Monday, November 18. With a 1.6% tax levy increase, the budget stays within the State mandated cap which is 1.66% this year. At the public hearing last week the Board had contemplated overriding the cap and going to a 4.8% increase. [private]There was some thinking on the Board that they should keep the amount taken from the unexpended fund balance down to $28,500. To get to the 1.6% increase they needed to take $37,600 from the fund balance. Seeing that other towns have gotten into trouble by reducing their fund balance too low, the Board has been reluctant in recent years to tap too much into that money, currently about $500,000. Town Supervisor Larry Eckhardt pointed out that while the State Comptroller frowns upon the Town having that much in reserve, it has meant that Stephentown has been able to pay for storm damage, and then get partially reimbursed from FEMA, without the expense of borrowing. Other towns have had to borrow the money and then hope to get reimbursed, he said. However, listening to a number of comments at the public hearing opposed to a 4.8% increase, the Board decided to go with the 1.6% increase.
Another reason the Board is reluctant to tap savings is that they see huge expenses in the not too distant future for repairing or replacing bridges. The Town is currently in the process of negotiating with FEMA regarding replacing a bridge on Bert Hager Road. Two others, on Newton Road and Black River Road, will need replacing soon, and the State has its eye on at least three others – on Madden Road, Grange Hall Road and Goold Road. Any one of these bridges could cost up to a half million dollars, with the amount of State or federal aid uncertain. To prepare for this, the Board had considered putting $50,000 into the Highway Account for bridges. Having lowered the tax levy increase, they will still be putting $37,500 into that line item, up 200% from the current budget. The Board also plans to set up a dedicated fund for bridges which should put them in a better position to seek grant money to meet these expenses.
The total amount budgeted for expenditures is $629,241 for the General Fund, a 5.7% increase, and $691,723 for the Highway Fund, an 8.5% increase. In the General Fund there is a significant increase for the Transfer Station where a new walkway will be constructed to accommodate single stream recycling. Single stream means that cardboard and paper will now be commingled with the other recycled materials such as plastic, glass and aluminum.
The Stephentown Memorial Library will receive $43,350, up 2%. The Historical Society will receive $6,000, up 2.6%. The amount budgeted to support veterans and senior citizens stays the same at $1,500 and $11,700 respectively. The amount going to seniors was questioned at one of the workshop meetings as being out of line with what neighboring towns contribute. But the case was made by the Stephentown seniors that their club serves more members and the amount contributed by the Town per member served is actually lower than in most of the neighboring towns.
Eckhardt expressed his appreciation for the input to the budget process that was received by both Board Members and members of the public. “It was a great group effort,” he said.
Paula Dibble in turn thanked the Board for working together and making tough decisions to develop a budget “that will work for our Town.” Dibble said that reading in the Eastwick Press about how contentious some town boards have been, she was very impressed with the professionalism of this Town Board, “how you worked together and talked things out, and everyone voiced their opinions and were heard.” Councilman Bill Jennings responded, “We’re not used to getting compliments.” Dibble shot back, “Well, don’t get too used to it!”
Banking
Eckhardt reported that although the Berkshire Bank will not be able to take over municipal accounts, an arrangement will be made to set up a simple commercial cash account there so that the Town can continue to make deposits in New Lebanon. The deposits will then be “swept” electronically into a municipal account at whatever bank the Town chooses. This will eliminate the threat of much higher mileage costs for making deposits. The Board is also exploring the idea of using the Town Constable as a courier to make deposits for most of the Town departments, thus reducing the mileage costs further. Eckhardt has an appointment to see about setting up a municipal account with the First Niagara Bank in Nassau. One thing is for certain, he said, “We will not be banking with Bank of America. I’ve been annoyed more than once.”
Transfer Station
Jennings reported that the Board has one bid for constructing a second walkway at the Transfer Station to accommodate the switch to single stream recycling. They are waiting now for a second quote from Zwack, Inc. in Stephentown. The walkway will run between roll-offs for recyclables.
Paint And Carpet
The Board will meet this week with a flooring company regarding getting a bid for replacing the carpet in the Town Hall. It expects to get two or three bids for this project. It will also get several bids for painting the interior walls of the meeting room and the hallway in the Town Hall. Adam Squires of AES Restoration Services in Stephentown is expected to provide one of the bids for this. The carpet work will be done first, then the painting. Highway Superintendent Aldie Goodermote suggested that the Board should consider having the bathrooms in the Town Hall given a face lift as well because, “They look like pig sties.”
Court Records Review
The State requires that the Town Board review the Town Court records each year and submit a report to the Office of Court Administration. The Board will meet for that purpose with the Justices and the Court Clerk on Monday, December 9, at 6:30 pm just prior to its regular workshop meeting.
Planning Services
The Board is looking to upgrade the Town’s Land Use Regulation to a full fledged Master Plan and is considering hiring a professional planner to guide them in the process. Three proposals have been received, from Behan Planning & Design of Saratoga Springs, from Clough Harbour of Albany and from Barton & Loguidice P.C. of Albany. The costs of these proposals range from $65,000 to $85,000, but Eckhardt pointed out that it has not been made clear yet what the Board will want such a consultant to do. There was some discussion about meeting with the proposal submitters, but Jennings suggested that the Board meet first with County Economic Development Planner Linda von der Heide to discuss developing a Master Plan before they meet with or commit resources to any outside consultant. Jennings pointed out that she had led the process of developing a comprehensive plan in the Town of Berlin. Billy Hammersmith, a resident of Berlin, added that he believed von der Heide did most of the work in Berlin. The Town Board then made its own decisions but didn’t have to hire anybody. The Stephentown Board decided to invite von der Heide to attend its workshop meeting on December 9.
Congratulations To The Veterans
Eckhardt congratulated the Veterans of Stephentown for putting on an inspiring and well attended Veterans Day ceremony on Saturday, November 9, at the Veterans Park, followed by a catered dinner at the Fire Hall. He noted that the presence of Korean students from the Hoosac School and their presentation of red carnations to the veterans of the Korean War era made for an especially nice touch.
Tree Lighting Planned
Eckhardt announced that the Veterans and Seniors are planning a Christmas Tree Lighting event at the Veterans Park for Sunday, December 8, to start at 6 pm. There will be caroling and refreshments to follow at the Fire Hall. Everyone is invited.
Deposits & Spending
The Town Clerk turned over the sum of $1,076.16 to the Supervisor for the month of October. The distribution from the Office of the State Comptroller, Justice Court Fund to the Town has not been reported yet. The Transfer Station deposited a total of $5,533.
The Board audited and approved claims in the amount of $12,844.10 from the General Fund and $108,805.92 from the Highway Account.
The Board set its next workshop meeting for Monday, December 9, starting with Court Records review at 6:30 pm and its next regular meeting for Monday, December 16, starting at 7 pm.[/private]