Board Adopts Preliminary 2016 Budget, Shows Tax Increase Of Just Under 6%
Budget-Related Public Hearings Set For October 22 And November 5
by Deb Alter
At its meeting on Thursday, October 15, the Hoosick Town Board passed a motion to adopt the 2016 Preliminary Budget, which will exceed the property tax cap instituted by New York State. It was not feasible to stay under the tax cap for the upcoming year because the Town will begin paying off a bond incurred for the work on the pool, will be purchasing two trucks (one new, one used) for the Highway Department, and will begin setting aside funds this year for the cost of a property revaluation.
[private]
Including the two General Funds, two Highway Funds, five Fire Districts and the Cheney Library, the overall tax rate increase for 2016 is 5.939%. The largest increases are in General Fund A (Townwide) at 21.476% and Highway Fund DA at 15.757%. The next highest increase is 8.744% in Highway Fund DB. Total appropriations for General Fund A were $688,056 in 2015; the 2016 budget appropriates $847,089. Highway Fund DA increased from $485,255 in this year’s budget to $559,838 for next year. The other line item increases are considerably lower.
A Public Hearing has been set for Thursday, October 22 at 7 pm at the Armory about Proposed Local Law #1 of 2015, which is a tax cap override for the 2016 Budget. The NY State mandated tax cap for the 2016 budget year is 0.73% (NOT 2%). The Town Board Preliminary 2016 Budget Public Hearing will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 6 pm at the Town Hall.
New Trucks
A Bond Anticipation Note to pay for a new truck was approved by the Board. The resolution authorizes the issuance and sale of bonds in an amount not to exceed $206,888 to be used for the purchase of a 2015 International plow truck.
There was one bid for a used plow truck. The bid was from Delurey’s for a 2007 International at a cost of $38,750. The Board voted to purchase the truck and to have the frame sandblasted and sealed at a cost not to exceed $5,000.
Pool Cover
The Board accepted the estimate from Watson’s for $19,900 for the pool cover (without a reel), as a cover will prolong the life of the pool and the taxpayers’ investment. The previous estimate, from Patterson-Stevens was for $27,550 and included a reel.
The Town has received the Master Grant Contract from the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Development. The $123,000 grant is for improvements to the mechanical room (pump house) and the bath house at the Town Pool. As part of the paperwork for this grant, the Town discovered that a survey of the boundary lines must be done where Town fences are not on Town Property or encroach on other property lines. The Board agreed to hire Albrecht and Willson Land Surveyors, PLLC to map the boundary line adjustments.
Property Revaluation Process To Begin Soon
A resolution was approved stating the Town’s intent to start the revaluation process. Funds have been put aside in the 2016 budget for this purpose. Supervisor Mark Surdam emphasized that the project is a joint Village and Town project and that the goal is to have one tax roll (there are currently two) which would consolidate services and save money.
In other business:
• The Fiscal Stress Monitoring System/Self-Assessment Report generated by the State Comptroller’s office puts the Town of Hoosick at 10%, which falls into the level of “No Designation,” which is the best rating.
• The White Creek Bridge Audit approved by the Town Board last month has begun. The project should be closed out by the end of the year.
• The Board voted to allow the Village of Hoosick Falls to be the lead agency for their Zoning Code Update, thereby satisfying SEQRA requirements.
• Supervisor Surdam will certify and submit the Court Grant application signed by Justices Restino and McClellan.
• The FOIL (Freedom Of Information Law) Protocol was adopted, establishing when and where FOIL requests may be made: by mail or in person at the Village Clerk’s Office during regular business hours.
• The Board adopted the Subject Matter Listing of All Records (Resolution #99).
• There will be an opening on the Town Zoning Board starting April 30, 2016. Valued member Joe MacDonald will be stepping down. Anyone interested should contact Supervisor Surdam or any Town Board member.
• There will be a Public Meeting about the Town of Hoosick Emergency Management Law (Local Law #2) which is to replace Local Law #6 of 1999 on Tuesday, November 11 at 6 pm in the Town Offices.
• Hoosick Friends of Skating will not be offering lessons this year, so the Town will take that over.
• Phil Leonard, Town Historian presented the new historic marker for Wood Park and a Board showing many of the other historic markers around Hoosick.
• There will be a Town Board and Town Court election on November 3. Polls are open from 6 am to 9 pm. All of the candidates are running unopposed. Councilman Bruce Patire will be stepping down at the end of his term, and Eric R. Sheffer is running for his seat. All of the others are incumbents.
The next Town Board meeting will be on November 10 at 7 pm at the Town Hall.[/private]