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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 25, 2011 public hearing[1].pdf Town of Enfield Public Hearing Minutes Enfield Community Building Wednesday, October 25, 2011 6:00 p.m. Present: Town Supervisor Roy Barriere, Town Councilperson Chris Hern, Town Councilperson Jean Owens, Town Councilperson Debbie Teeter, Town Highway Superintendent Barry Rollins, Deputy Town Clerk Sue Thompson A public hearing for the consideration of the adoption of the 2012 Town of Enfield Preliminary Budget as the 2012 Final Budget. Supervisor Barriere opened the public hearing at 6:00 pm, by leading the assemblage in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Supervisor Barriere read the notice of the public hearing, which was published in the Ithaca Journal on October 15, 2011. Supervisor Barriere asked for comments. Barry Rollins stated that he would like to meet with the whole Town Board regarding the highway budget before the budget is presented at the public hearing. Last year he lost over $6,000 from his summer help, but received material money back plus $2,000. This year the town is reducing his equipment savings by $16,000; to him that is stepping back. They had to increase repairs last month for over $10,000 and not giving them an increase in the last 3 years other than materials, he feels it is going to cause trouble later. Fuel has doubled; materials have gone up over $1.50/ton. They have been working with stock piles from previous superintendents, taking out 3 loads and only replacing one, they are almost empty. They are working with older equipment. He stated he was told by some of the Board members last year, to make it through this year and maybe they would see about doing something different. The Superintendents Equipment Budget, he stated he will need more than that, for a copier, fax machines, phone for the new Highway Facility. Supervisor Barriere stated that most of that equipment will be coming out of the project. Diane Aramini asked the Board if they looked to see that they really trimmed the extra fat of the budget. Supervisor Barriere stated they felt they did. Diane asked what the tax rate would be. Supervisor Barriere replied the tax rate would still increase by 1 ¼ percent (5.21/thousand), that is looking at just under 3 percent increase on the tax levy from last year. According to the formula as posted by the State Comptroller’s Office, our figures appear to be just under the tax cap limit. Diane also commented on the medical insurance that the town pays for all its employees. She wanted to know if the town thought about a share program where the employees have to pay a part because the cost keeps going up. Public Hearing Minutes October 25, 2011 2 Supervisor Barriere responded that the town was looking into that but it is expensive, complicated and confusing. Some may want it and some may not, they were not sure how to balance that out. Do you just offer the family plan to everyone and have the employee pay a percentage of that? Diane commented that where she was employed before they offered 3 different plans, single, single plus one, married couple or a single with a child. Usually the cost 70/30 percent the company picking up the 70 percent of the cost. Dawn George commented that it was nice the town was able to pay for their employees insurance however when it gets to be where it is astronomical in cost, eventually the board will have to look at changing it. Barry Rollins said Ulysses is looking into other packages such as individual for next year. He said the County runs an 80/20 and Newfield has the same. They have 5% that goes into a fund that you get back that you can use for co-pay. Flex spending account has different implications. Supervisor Barriere said it is definitely something to look into. Supervisor Barriere asked for any other comments. Shawn Drake, 94 Shuaben Road, stated he thought it was a regular town meeting. Supervisor Barriere answered that it was a public hearing. Shawn asked to discuss a problem regarding an issue with the Highway Department. Supervisor Barriere asked Shawn Drake to come back to the Town Board after the hearing. Supervisor Barriere moved to close the public hearing at 6:15 p.m. Motion seconded by Councilperson Hern. Approved. Supervisor Barriere opened the second public hearing at 6:16 p.m. A public hearing for review of the proposed Local Law to Override the Tax Levy Limit established in General Municipal Law Section 3-C. Supervisor Barriere read the notice of the public hearing published in the Ithaca Journal, October 15, 2011. Supervisor Barriere explained that this proposed law is to allow the Town Board to exceed the tax cap limit as initiated into state law this year. The preliminary budget as it stands now is slightly under that tax cap limit, if the formula was done correctly. Also, the board may choose to increase this preliminary budget. In either case we should have this law adopted so that is why it is brought up for public hearing. Supervisor Barriere asked for comments. Dawn George asked if there were any limits on how high you can go over the limits. Supervisor Barriere answered that this local law does not set a limit. It only allows the board to go above the tax cap limit. Diane Arami commented that she is against the board going over the limit. Dawn George commented that she was also against going over the limit. Public Hearing Minutes October 25, 2011 3 Jerry Achilles commented that he was also against going over the limit. He thought the tax cap should be kept at 2%. Every year the taxes keep going up we need to keep it down where it is reasonable. Supervisor Barriere moved to close the public hearing at 6:20 p.m. Motion seconded by Councilperson Owens. Approved. Supervisor Barriere stated he would like to finalize the presentation for Wednesday November 2, 2011 regarding the Gas Drilling. Councilperson Hern and Teeter responded they would rather hold off on the presentation until someone from the DEC could be represented. Councilperson Owens also agreed on the postponement. Councilperson Teeter will contact DEC. Supervisor Barriere will contact the presenters to inform them that the presentation will be postponed. Supervisor Barriere moved to close the Special meeting and public hearing at 6:25 p.m. Motion seconded by Councilperson Owens. Approved. Respectfully submitted, Susan Thompson Enfield Deputy Town Clerk