The Public Hearing on the Proposed 2019 Budget was held on November 1, 2018 at 7:00pm at the Town of Rochester Town Hall.
PRESENT:
Councilman Drabkin Councilwoman Fornino Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Councilman Hewitt Supervisor Baden Town Clerk Gundberg
Attorney Christiana
PLEDGE:
Supervisor Baden opened the meeting and led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
Supervisor Baden gave a presentation of the proposed 2019 Budget.
FUND APPROPRIATIONS AND PROVISIONS FOR OTHER USES LESS ESTIMATED REVENUES LESS UNEXPENDED BALANCE AMOUNT TO BE RAISED BY TAXES 2018 TAXES INCREASE (DECREASE)
A – GENERAL $2,148,447 $1,456,170 $75,000 $617,277 $689,630 -$72,353
DA – HIGHWAY $2,097,335 $683,079 $150,000 $1,264,256 $1,103,805 $160,451
TOTAL $4,245,782 $2,139,249 $225,000 $1,881,533 $1,793,435 $88,098
PERCENTAGE CHANGE 4.9122%
2019 Preliminary 2018 Actual Change from 2018 to 2019
FUND Taxable Assessed value Rate per 1,000 Taxable Assessed value Rate per 1,000 Taxable Assessed value Rate per 1,000
A – GENERAL $794,665,476 0.77678 $780,743,721 $0.88330 $13,921,755 -$0.10652
DA – HIGHWAY $794,665,476 1.59093 $780,743,721 $1.41379 $13,921,755 $0.17714
TOTAL $794,665,476 2.36770 $780,743,721 $2.29709 $13,921,755 $0.07062
PERCENTAGE CHANGE 3.07429%
Supervisor Baden stated that there are 2 bridges ( Boice Mill Rd & Mill Hook Rd) that must be repaired and a culvert on Whitfield Rd.
The Assessed value increased almost 14 million dollars. The total tax increase of .07 cents per 1,000 shows a 3.07 % increase. The average assessed home in the Town of Rochester is
$214,000.00 showing the average increase of $ 15.11 per year in taxes.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Greg Cruickshank asked with parcels coming in and adding 13-14 million to the tax roll ,why are our taxes going up? New home new taxes.
Supervisor Baden stated that’s not how it works. It’s a mathematical tax amount set based on the budget and assessed value.
Danny Aversano asked with concerns to the Budget why are we adding constables? Why are we investing in the constables, investing money into buildings, cars, maintenance for buildings and cars? Why is this such a project echoing at a fast rate unbeknownst to the public? I thought their job was to monitor the courts and do local things and now their powers have been expanded all over Town and pulling people over.
Supervisor Baden stated that the Constables began in the end of 2011, the start of the Constabulary was in 1710. The Building came free from FEMA and upgrades to the building are paid through grants. One Constable car cost $ 400.00 and the other $ 1000.00. We have 8 constables that work 10 hours or less a week, they are paid minimum wage. The Town supplies their uniform but the constable is to supply their own equipment, supplies, weapons. They are managed under NYS DCJS. We are utilizing them more than just courts. They are working on traffic issues, patrolling and writing a number of vehicle and traffic tickets which is bringing revenue to the Town. The Sheriff’s Department and NYS Troopers won’t respond in our area for neighbor to neighbor issues. Our Constables had 3 life saves this year. The expenses are minimal. At the request of the Minnewaska Park Superintendent our constables are issuing parking tickets.
Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy: after training of 520 hours at $ 10.40 per hour the Constables rate of pay goes to $ 12.00 per hour. The 2019 budget has the Constables rate of pay at $ 11.10 which is the rate of minimum wage. The tickets brought in although not reflected in the Constabulary line is revenue for the Courts.
Jaime Roxby stated she witnessed an incident where a young girl was pulled over by the Constable and a trooper was there as well administering the field sobriety test. Now we are paying double wages; the Constable can’t do what is entailed to be done.
Supervisor Baden stated that we do not have the ability to administer a sobriety test.
Jaime Roxby stated for the record,“ In my opinion and it has been said by the Sheriff’s Department that the Constabulary is a lawsuit waiting to happen. The Sheriff’s office doesn’t want to back them up because not only are they opening up a lawsuit for the Town they are in turn going to open a lawsuit for the Sherriff’s Department.”
Supervisor Baden stated that’s your opinion.
Jaime Roxy stated we are putting money in the constabulary but are cutting youth services? For what?
Supervisor Baden stated, “ Youth services are not being cut. The Summer Program went from a 7 week program to a 6 week program at the request of the Recreation Director.
Lynn Archer stated , “ there may be some misunderstanding because some line items were moved and added to appropriate line items so it may look like the Board is taking it away but are not.
Anthony Gugluizza stated he would like to move on from the Constable discussion and get back to the budget but wants on the record whoever the Constable is that was driving around at night is extremely reckless. I want it noted that we are in the Town of Rochester not New York City tailgating, pulling people over for no reason, speeding through Elizabeth Street on Halloween with kids on both sides of the road, sirens blaring is extremely reckless. Where is he going ? To save a life? At that rate I really hope he was. I really do”
Councilwoman Hewitt thanked all the Department Head that came and met with the Board at the special meetings that were open to the public, we appreciate all the feedback.
CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING:
Resolution # 343-2018:
A Motion was made by Councilman Drabkin to close the public hearing on the proposed 2019 budget at 7:40pm.
Second: Councilwoman Haugen-Depuy
Aye: 5 nay: 0 abstain: 0 motion carried
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTTED,
KATHLEEN A. GUNDBERG
TOWN CLERK