By Liz Page
HOBART – Members of the Stamford Town Board answered questions about the proposed budget with several members of the public present for last Wednesday's budget hearing. No changes were forthcoming and the budget was adopted. It proposes a 1.66 percent ($15,694) increase over the current budget and remains under the state's allowable tax cap by $27,000.
Deputy Supervisor Dan Deysenroth explained the budget process and some of the goals the board has as it drafts a new budget, explaining contingencies, unexpended balances and their considerations for the tax cap. Deysenroth said the Robinson-Broadhurst Foundation saves the taxpayers a great deal of money by providing grants of up to $100,000 per year which have been used to help the town purchase new equipment. Appropriations in the new budget total $1,502.919, which is being offset by $490,658 in projected revenues and an unexpended fund balance of $55,000, leaving the amount to be raised by taxes at $958,961.
The fuel bids were rebid from last month, but the town still received a single bid, from Main Care, with board members accepting the bids for gasoline and low sulfur diesel fuel. The prices are fluctuating, with no fixed prices provided. Mirabito currently supplies the LP gas to the town and Main Care did not bid that item. Supervisor John Kosier will reach out to Mirabito to get pricing on the LP gas which is used to heat the town hall.
The town's attorney will review a request for the town to extend the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) on the senior apartment building located at 125 Main St. in the village of Stamford. The town has received a letter requesting the extension be continued at 5 percent. Kosier said he will have the attorney draft an agreement. The building also houses the Western Catskills Community Revitalization Corporation (WCCRC). The cost to continue the PILOT is not believed to be a significant amount, according to Kosier, who will research it and bring it back to the board.
Town crews have finished hauling materials for winter road maintenance and all the trucks have been prepared for winter maintenance, with trucks going out for winter road work for the first time last week. Deputy Highway Superintendent Kevin Rinehart reported some additional cleanup is needed on Davis Road where a culvert was replaced. There was also some discussion over hours for the crew for winter plowing. The start and stop hours can affect overtime pay, while considering getting the roads plowed and sanded for school buses.
Supervisor Kosier said he had been approached about the town adopting a noise ordinance. However, the current board did not seem to support an ordinance.
After adopting the new budget, Councilman Dave Post said he stopped at the town highway garage recently, unannounced and was pleased to see the crew working together on the old Western Star. He said having the truck for an extra five years is a plus and he urged the incoming council members to consider replacing the smaller utility truck and to be planning ahead and keep it in the back of their minds. " The employees were working together to get the plows on and I wasn't hearing any complaints," said Post.
Before the meeting adjourned, Doug McMullen, who lost the recent election for town supervisor, asked the board to consider video taping town board meetings and to ensure the town's website is kept up to date. He believes more people would become involved with the video-taped meetings, saying that not everyone is able to attend the monthly town board meetings. He also said there should be handouts for visitors and he said the town should invest in a projector. Kosier said he has been researching cameras for recording the town board meetings.
Members of the audience questioned why the town's dog control officer does not answer the phone, but is paid annually for doing nothing. Supervisor Kosier explained they must undergo an annual inspection from NYS Ag and Markets to ensure they have the proper facilities to hold dogs.Board member indicated they weren't aware that calls were not being answered. Someone will check with the dog control officer regarding the allegation that they do not answer the phone to receive dog control calls.
Jen Betz asked if there is a job description for each position in the town. She also asked about a meeting agenda for the public. She also said town residents would like to have communication at the Delaware County Board of Supervisors. "You are supposed to be representing us. They should allow a half hour for public discussion," she said. Kosier said he didn't think the county Board of Supervisors would be willing to hold that sort of public forum.
McMullen challenged Kosier about statements he made to the Mountain Eagle Newspaper regarding saving the taxpayers a million dollars. He said he considered it a bold statement and asked him to explain it. Kosier said he has worked on getting Community Development Block Grants that have helped get needed home repairs for qualifying homeowners in various amounts. He also helped to get the street signs for the hamlet of South Kortright, through grants. Deysenroth said the town needs to apply for the grants, which have been used to help eligible homeowners with needed repairs and other programs.
A resident who lives near the top of Roxbury Mountain Road asked if the town could install guardrails to keep vehicles from going over the steepest embankment. It is an issue that has been discussed many times by the town board and highway superintendent in the past. Installing guardrails would hinder plowing operations, according to Rinehart.
The next town board meeting will be held Dec. 10.
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