Budget Workshop
11/2/11
The meeting was called to order at 3:01 PM.
Board Members present were Councilwoman LaPine, Councilman MacDougal, Councilman LaForest, Councilman Wrisley and Supervisor Boisen. Also present was Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk.
Visitors included Colleen & Jim Van Hoven, Tina Gardner and Frank Walls.
General Fund
Appropriations
Town Board no changes from last meeting on 10/25/11.
An hourly pay increase was requested by the Town Justice. It would not change the budgeted amount. The hourly rate would be $12.50 to stay within the budget amount of $2572. The rest of the Justice’s budget will be the same.
The Planning Board Secretary hourly rate was discussed. The new rate will be $12.50 per hour. The hours will need to budgeted carefully to stay with the budgeted amount for the year of $3840.
Motion to increase Justice Clerk and Planning Board Secretary hourly rate by 50 cents per hour made by Councilman LaForest. Seconded by Councilman
MacDougal. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Supervisor lines no changes from last meeting on 10/25/11.
Tax collector lines no changes from last meeting on 10/25/11.
Assessor legal fees lowered to $86500 by using leftover funds from 2011.
All other assessor lines will remain the same.
Unexpended balances were discussed and if and how this money could be used.
Town Clerk PS – salary was discussed. The salary committee that was to work on a salary schedule did not meet and do any work on this. Councilman LaForest said he could not approve a 26% salary increase for the Town Clerk. Councilman Wrisley said he understand the new Town Clerk will want health insurance and this is going to be costly for the Town. Supervisor Boisen said
she did not feel the pay should be based on the person doing the job.
Motion to increase Town Clerk salary to $21,840 made by Supervisor Boisen. No second.
Motion to table Town Clerk raise made by Councilman LaForest. Motion withdrawn.
Jim Van Hoven suggested combining Town Clerk and Planning Board Secretary positions. The pros and cons were discussed.
Motion to increase Town Clerk salary to $21,840 was made by Supervisor Boisen. Seconded by Councilman Wrisley. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-no, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman LaForest stated he believes incremental type raises should be done. I believe the incoming Clerk knew what the salary was and that is what was agreed to when you sign up the first time and this why I am voting no, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
Councilman LaForest left at 4 PM for a prior appointment.
Town clerk – deputy stays the same. Town Clerk EQ increased from zero to $800. Supervisor Boisen said she would like to purchase the computer out of
2011 budget. If it is purchased out of 2011 monies then we will not need the $800 in 2012.
Town Clerk CE stays same.
Attorney CE & Engineer stayed the same.
Buildings stayed the same.
Unallocated Ins., Municipal Assn dues stayed the same.
Tax and assessment was decreased from $1000 to $500.
Contingency Acct was increased from $20,000 to $30,000.
Animal Control PS, SPCA, Animal Control CE, Life Flight all stayed the same.
Health Officer – we will need to contract for this and tell them we have $500 budgeted for this.
Highway Superintendent salary was discussed. This salary was compared to the men he supervises and what they receive yearly.
The 2% tax cap was discussed.
Motion to increase Highway Superintendent salary to $36,340 per year made by Councilman Wrisley. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes.
The rest of the highway budget in the general fund stays the same.
Sidewalks were increased from $2000 to $5000.
Parks is lowered to $500 from $1000.
Playground equipment increased from $500 to $1000. to cover repairs and inspections.
Special Rec. Fac.Grange, summer youth program stay the same.
Youth Program other increased from $150 to $650. $500 to youth commission and $150 for ski program.
Library, Historian, Senior Center Bldg., Parade/fireworks, Senior Van and program for Aging stay the same.
Zoning and Planning remain the same.
Brass is decreased from$750 to $500.
Refuse & garbage A8160.1 decreased to $41,396.
Refuse & garbage A8160.4 stay the same at $60,000.
Site Monitoring stays the same.
Beautification Ps stayed the same.
Beautification CE stayed the same.
NYS Retirement increased to $24,347.
Social Security increased to $13,200.
Worker comp decreased to $810.
Unemployment Ins. stayed the same.
Disability Ins. Increased to $1000. This was due to the claim we had this year.
Health Ins. Increased to $50,504.
Transfer to Capital – dock stayed the same.
Transfer to Capital Sr. Ctr. Stayed the same.
Transfer to Capital – Wrights Inn decreased to $5000.
Revenues-General
Refuse & Garbage was lowered from $87000 to $60,000.
Insurance Recoveries is $19,494.
All other revenues stayed the same.
The EMS budget was discussed and where exactly the $15,000 will be in the Town Budget. Councilwoman LaPine said she believed that there was to be more information on the EMS for the public. Mr. Walls said when the certificate of need is issued the lawyer will come explain what the Town responsibilities will be. The contract that would be needed between the Town and the EMS was discussed. Ownership of the ambulance and equipment was discussed.
Coverage area for EMS was discussed. There will be a public hearing to be held at Willsboro School once everything is in place for the EMS.
Highway
Appropriations – the changes are – State Retirement increased to $21,482.
Social Security increased to $12,045.
Workers Comp. increased to $26,420.
Health Insurance increased to $90,240.
Insurance Recoveries will be $7303.
Improvements-CHIPS was changed to $49,450.
All other line lines stayed the same.
Revenues-Highway
Insurance Recoveries will be $7303
Con Highway-CHIPS was changed to $49,450.
All other lines stayed the same.
Essex Lighting District will be $4000.
Whallonsburg Lighting District will be $2000.
Water District #1 Fund
Appropriations- the changes – State Retirement increased to $1910.
Social Security increased to $781.
Workers Comp lowered to $137.
Revenues – Water District
Unmetered sales was increased to $60,800. All other revenue stayed the same.
Water District 1 Extension ! stayed the same.
The problems at the pump house were discussed. Solutions were discussed.
Councilman Wrisley said we will need to have an informational meeting for the public, so they can be updated as to the issues with the water.
Supervisor Boisen will check and see when Wayne Ryan is available to come and meet with the Town Board to discuss the Town’s water issues and problems at the pump house. The
filters are our main concern. Their condition is poor.
Fire District 1 – $85,330.
Fire District 2 – $47,000.
Sewer District
Sewer Operator – Social Security and Insurance increased to $17,917.
All other line stayed the same.
Councilman Wrisley asked who would be reading the meters, the sewer operator or the water superintendent. Supervisor Boisen said the funding agencies will not pay for meters.
Supervisor Boisen said Wayne Ryan emailed the Town should have sent bills out last spring in order to have enough money to cover debt repayment at the end of 2011.
The first payment can be from $37,000 to $50,000. Flat rate charge for sewer usage was discussed. How this year end payment would be funded was discussed. Money will need to be borrowed from the General Fund to have enough to make the debt service payment this year.
The sewer budget for 2012 was discussed and if we would collect enough to cover the budget. There are concerns that we will have a shortfall in 2012.
Councilman Wrisley said an informational meeting is needed to inform the public on the changes in billing and the issues with the budget. Councilwoman LaPine said it would be a good idea to also send a letter to the sewer residents.
The Sewer Operator position hours and the Water Superintendent position hours were discussed.
Motion to increase Sewer Operator salary from the part time $15,600 to full time $23,400 made by Councilman MacDougal. Seconded by Councilwoman LaPine. Roll call Councilwoman LaPine-yes, Councilman MacDougal-yes, Councilman Wrisley-yes and Supervisor Boisen-yes
The tax rate was discussed.
The EMS budget was discussed again. The Board discussed the creation of EMS and why there was no vote by the public on its creation. What other options there are if we do not sign a contract with Essex-Willsboro EMS was discussed.
Local Law #2 to override the tax levy limit was discussed.
Resolution # 42
11/2/11
The following resolution was offered by Councilman MacDougal, who moved
Its adoption.
Be It Resolved that the Town Board of Essex, NY hereby introduces proposed Local Law No. 2 of 2011 entitled œA Local Law to override the Tax Levy Limit established in General Municipal Law 3-c reading and provided as follows:
œTown of Essex Local Law 2 of 2011
A Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit Established in General Municipal Law 3-c.
Be It Enacted, by the Town Board of Essex, NY as follows:
Section 1 Legislative Intent.
It is the intent of this local law to override the limit on the amount of real property taxes that may be levied by the Town of Essex pursuant to General Municipal Law 3-c, and to allow the
Town of Essex to adopt a budget for the fiscal year 2012 that requires a real property tax
Levy in excess of œtax levy limit as defined by General municipal Law 3-c.
Section 2 Authority.
This local law is adopted pursuant to subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law 3-c, which expressly authorizes the Town Board of Essex to override the tax levy limit by the
Adoption of a local law approved by sixty percent of the Board.
Section 3 Tax Levy Limit Override – Budget Authorization.
The Town Board of Essex, NY hereby overrides the tax levy limit for the Town of Essex for 2012 and authorizes the Essex Town Board, after completing all required procedures for the adoption of a budget, to adopt a budget for 2012 that requires a tax levy that is greater than the tax levy limit calculated for 2012 pursuant to 3-c of the General Municipal Law.
Section 4 Severability.
If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this Local Law or the application thereof to any person, firm or corporation, or circumstances, shall be adjusted by any court
Of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not
Affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to
The clause. Sentence, paragraph, subdivision, or part of this local law or in its application
To the person, individual, form or corporation, or circumstance, directly involved in the
Controversy in which such judgment or order shall be rendered.
Section 5 Effective date.
This local law shall take effect immediately upon filing with the Secretary of State.
Be It Further Resolved that the Town Board of Essex, NY shall hold and conduct a public hearing on the foregoing proposed local law on the 17th day of November at 6 PM to hear any and all persons concerning the same; and
Be It Further Resolved that the Essex Town Clerk will publish a notice of such hearing in the designated Town newspaper at least five days prior to said hearing. This resolution was duly seconded by Councilman Wrisley, and adopted upon a roll call vote as follows:
Supervisor Boisen -yes.
Councilwoman LaPine -yes
Councilman MacDougal -yes
Councilman Wrisley -yes
Councilman LaForest -absent
The meeting was adjourned at 6:11 PM
Respectfully submitted Audrey Hoskins, Town Clerk
