UNOFFICIAL SUMMARY OF TOWN OF ESSEX TENTATIVE BUDGET MEETING, 10/02/14, 6:30 PM

Present –

Supervisor Gardner

Council Person LaPine

Council Person Wrisley

Council Person Garvey

Town Clerk William Morgan

Absent –

Council Person MacDougal

Also present –

Bradley French – Highway Superintendent

Pat Gardner – Assessor & Bookkeeper

Tina Gardner – Waste Water Treatment Plant Operator

Catherine DeWolff – Clerk to Supervisor

Mr. & Mrs. James Vanhoven

Kevin DeLaughter

Audrey Hoskins

Sharon Boisen

Meeting was called to order 6:30pm

Following pledge of allegiance Supervisor Gardner stated we will begin with the tentative budget.

The supervisor read the budget line by line.  Little discussion transpired among the board members.  During the reading Mrs. VanHoven requested to ask a question, the supervisor replied -no, this is just the tentative budget¦  Mrs. VanHoven complied.  During the reading of the water budget the supervisor stated there will be a payment due on the water capital project this year in the amount of about $36,000.

Budget items of interest…

A 1.5 % increase in salary is proposed for all elected and appointed officials, with two exceptions.

Exception #1 – the animal control officer position has a proposed REDUCTION in salary from $1,588/yr. to $1,500/yr.

Exception #2 – the clerk to the supervisor position has a proposed INCREASE in salary from $21,009/yr. to $29,324.13/yr.  The supervisor mentioned something during this discussion about needing more employees to fill this position therefore they would need more funds for salaries.  Exactly what was said was unclear.

Although absent from the tentative budget, we provide here a comparison of the 2014 to proposed 2015 figures and the resulting potential increase in funds to be raised by taxes.

GENERAL FUND (paid by all tax payers)

PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET $426,831 (INCREASE of 14.99% from 2014)

Adopted 2014 budget $371,181 (increase of 1.8% from 2013)

HIGHWAY FUND (paid by all tax payers)

PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET $289,510 (INCREASE of 18.20% from 2014)

Adopted 2014 budget $244,932 (increase of 0.52% from 2013)

WATER DISTRICT 1 (paid by water district residents only) funds to be raised direct billing

PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET $94,356 (INCREASE of 24.33% from 2014)

Adopted 2014 budget $75,893 (increase of 11.50% from 2013)

SEWER DISTRICT (paid by sewer district residents only) funds to be raised by direct billing

PROPOSED 2015 BUDGET $116,998 (increase of 15.33% from 2014)

Adopted 2014 budget $101,443 (increase of 13.35% from 2013)

PLEASE NOTE – The $116,998 figure takes into consideration a potential error in the tentative budget whereby $33,333 considered revenue may actually be an appropriation for debt.

All additional funds were reported to remain the same as 2014 thus far.  The tentative budget as presented at the meeting can be reviewed at a post on this site.

Audrey Hoskins, Secretary to Essex Fire District 2, confirmed that the district’s Fire Commissioners have not increased their budget from last year.

Once reading of the tentative budget line items was complete the supervisor asked the town board to take it home and look at it.  They will discuss it another time, no questions tonight.

At this time Mr. and Mrs. VanHoven left the meeting.

Agenda items….

– Resolution authorizing direct payment of Essex County Sales and Use Tax Allocation to the town was passed unanimously.  This is instead of using the funds to reduce the town tax rate.  Board member Wrisley pointed out that the results are the same no matter how we receive the funds, by check or by tax reduction; it’s the same revenue to the town and cost to the county.  The supervisor stated that County Treasurer requested it be done this was because it’s easier for his department.  The supervisor added he believes it results in a benefit to the town equalization rate. It was not made clear how that is so.

– Resolution accepting the Town Justice Audit passed unanimously.

– Resolution authorizing a Town Justice Grant Application passed unanimously.

– Resolution setting the standard work days for the NYS Retirement system as the same as in the past was approved unanimously.  Sharon Boisen requested to have the town clerk read what these set hours were.  The town clerk read the standard work day hours as follows¦ Supervisor 6, Deputy Supervisor 6, Clerk to the Supervisor 6, Town Clerk 6, Deputy Town Clerk 6, Town Justice 6, Court Clerk 6, Board Member 6, Assessor 6, Highway Superintendent 8, Deputy Highway Superintendent 8, Water Superintendent, Assistant Water Superintendent , Planning Board Secretary 6, Zoning Officer 6, Transfer Station Manager 7, Transfer Station Attendant 7, Transfer Station Attendant 7.

The supervisor stated that everyone who is in the NYS Retirement System must keep a 3 month log of their work hours.  They need to begin this ASAP.

Sharon Boisen asked how the set hours affect those employees whose standard work day is set at only 5 hours/day.  The supervisor said NYS retirement system says 6 hrs. /day is the least and 8 hrs. /day is the most.

– Resolution authorizing a contract with Steve Sayward Jr. for use of his property for a test well for the town water project passed unanimously.  Sharon Boisen asked how this property was determined to be an option.  Supervisor said they asked Steve because Cathy DeWolff and Dottie James have a lot of water from their wells, and so does Steve Sayward.  Steve agreed to help the town by allowing the water district to lease or purchase of property if the test well is successful.  Sharon Boisen asked if the hydrogeologist has done any testing on the property.  The supervisor replied they are coming next week. Sharon Boisen asked what the costs were for the recent test well on School Street, no one could answer the exact amount, and the supervisor eventually suggested it was about the same as the one at the fire house a few years ago, maybe $10,000 or so more.

– Resolution to sign highway work permit passed unanimously.

– Resolution to sign memorandum of understanding with work based learning program agreement with Northlands Job Corps passed unanimously.

The supervisor requested to enter into executive session to discuss hiring more employees.  He requested Tina Gardner remain in the room, Ms. Gardner complied.

We left the meeting at approximately 7:30pm and no further notes were taken.

Respectfully compiled by Audrey Hoskins and Sharon Boisen