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Town budget up 4.94 percent
Less mortgage tax revenue, increased fees contribute to hike
By Francesca Olsen
The Claverack Town Board passed its 2010 budget Monday night with a unanimous vote. The budget’s tax levy increased from 2009 to 2010 by 4.94 percent, from $1.31 per thousand to $1.37 per thousand.
The budget includes a 3 percent raise for most town employees, and no raise for part time elected officials. Among the budget’s highlights are $15,000 for the Comprehensive Plan Committee to work on zoning that would be a companion to the comp plan, and anticipated mortgage tax revenue of $91,000, down $9,000 from 2009’s adopted number.
This year’s total collected mortgage tax revenue isn’t available yet because the year has not come to a close.
An increase in the budget also came in the form of anticipated state retirement and pension plan contributions, as well as a state tax on utilities that was recently implemented for residents and municipalities. Claverack has multiple utility bills and has already started paying the tax, Keegan said.
The Philmont Rescue Squad was budgeted $25,000, up from $19,000 in 2009; Greenport Rescue also got $25,000 and a community rescue squad, new next year, will get $1,000.
Keegan said he was satisfied with the budget, “although I’d like to have it be less. New York is in a critical financial jam. I don’t think we’ll be out of it in 2010.”
Rick Tracey from Philmont Rescue was in the meeting’s audience and commented during the preliminary hearing on the budget.
“That’s significantly lower than needed or required,” he said. “That could lead to a lack of service in your community. The only thing we can cut is staffing — we have nothing else to cut.”
Tracey also asked the board if a committee could be formed to work on rectifying the situation. Keegan said this could be done.
Money has also been budgeted for a townwide re-assessment, to bring the town up to a 100 percent equalization rate. The current rate is 67 percent.
“We’re hoping to get the (re-assessment) in place by Jan. 1,” Keegan said.
Councilman Michael Johnston told the meeting’s audience a plan was in place for payment. There is a five-year fixed plan to pay back the cost of a re-assessment.
“It would eat up a tremendous amount of our budget,” he said. “We do realize this needs to be done ... as of tonight, we can say we can go forward.”
Johnston also said that because the town’s records are accurate and up-to-date, Claverack got a price reduction on the cost of a re-val. “It’s going to be very feasible in our budget,” he said.
The board also passed a five-year contract with the Churchtown Fire District. From 2010 to 2014, Claverack will pay $131,620 per year, including payments to the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP).
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
The budget includes a 3 percent raise for most town employees, and no raise for part time elected officials. Among the budget’s highlights are $15,000 for the Comprehensive Plan Committee to work on zoning that would be a companion to the comp plan, and anticipated mortgage tax revenue of $91,000, down $9,000 from 2009’s adopted number.
This year’s total collected mortgage tax revenue isn’t available yet because the year has not come to a close.
An increase in the budget also came in the form of anticipated state retirement and pension plan contributions, as well as a state tax on utilities that was recently implemented for residents and municipalities. Claverack has multiple utility bills and has already started paying the tax, Keegan said.
The Philmont Rescue Squad was budgeted $25,000, up from $19,000 in 2009; Greenport Rescue also got $25,000 and a community rescue squad, new next year, will get $1,000.
Keegan said he was satisfied with the budget, “although I’d like to have it be less. New York is in a critical financial jam. I don’t think we’ll be out of it in 2010.”
Rick Tracey from Philmont Rescue was in the meeting’s audience and commented during the preliminary hearing on the budget.
“That’s significantly lower than needed or required,” he said. “That could lead to a lack of service in your community. The only thing we can cut is staffing — we have nothing else to cut.”
Tracey also asked the board if a committee could be formed to work on rectifying the situation. Keegan said this could be done.
Money has also been budgeted for a townwide re-assessment, to bring the town up to a 100 percent equalization rate. The current rate is 67 percent.
“We’re hoping to get the (re-assessment) in place by Jan. 1,” Keegan said.
Councilman Michael Johnston told the meeting’s audience a plan was in place for payment. There is a five-year fixed plan to pay back the cost of a re-assessment.
“It would eat up a tremendous amount of our budget,” he said. “We do realize this needs to be done ... as of tonight, we can say we can go forward.”
Johnston also said that because the town’s records are accurate and up-to-date, Claverack got a price reduction on the cost of a re-val. “It’s going to be very feasible in our budget,” he said.
The board also passed a five-year contract with the Churchtown Fire District. From 2010 to 2014, Claverack will pay $131,620 per year, including payments to the Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP).
To reach reporter Francesca Olsen call 518-828-1616, ext. 2272, or e-mail folsen@registerstar.com.
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