March 23, 2018

Dear Neighbors:

It is my pleasure to provide you a copy of the Tentative Budget for fiscal year-end May 31, 2019:

• Cover Sheet
• Schedule of Salaries
• Special Reserve Accounts
• Detailed Budget

The Tentative Budget proposes a 0% tax increase and a tax levy that stays under the NYS 2% Tax Cap Law. This is the third consecutive 0% tax increase and the sixth consecutive budget I have presented that stays under the NYS Tax Cap. Because of the sound financial decisions the Village has made, Asharoken received the highest score, "No Designation", in the NYS Comptroller's annual municipal financial stress test for the four years that the analysis has been conducted, 2014 through 2017.

Significantly, the Tentative Budget maintains all of the services that the Village provides for its residents and reserves money for future needs without raising taxes for the next fiscal year.

I would like to highlight several items in the Tentative Budget that changed from last year. The largest expense increases were in Police Payroll, Health Insurance and Fire, EMS, & Paramedic Services. The Northport Fire Department has rolled out a new Paramedic Program which will provide paid paramedics to service our residents. Smaller increases occurred in Fire & Police Retirement, Police Equipment and Social Security costs. Offsetting a sizeable part of these increases were reductions in the Contingent Account, Snow Removal Costs, Village Hall Light and Power, Marine Repairs and Highway Maintenance. The Village will be funding its reserve accounts for Police Equipment, Highway Maintenance and Unpaid Benefits (Police Retirement Costs).

Several adjustments were also made on the revenue side with increases in Public Safety, Mortgage Tax and Interest Income. The Village is working closely with our financial representative to ensure we receive the highest interest rates allowed.

I would like to thank Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse and Treasurer Emily Hayes for helping prepare this budget. Together they have worked on the last ten budgets and their expertise really shows. The Village will hold a public hearing on the budget on April 3 at 6:30pm. Should you have any comments please email me at gletica@asharokenny.org. I look forward to hearing your comments either by email or at the public hearing.

Sincerely,
Mayor Greg Letica

March 16, 2018

Dear Neighbors: I am writing to let you know that this week the Village received confirmation that the NY District Office of the Army Corps of Engineers wrote to the North Atlantic Division requesting the resumption of the study to focus on the area of the seawall as a locally preferred plan. I will update you as soon as the Village receives more information on restoration of the seawall. I would like to thank Congressman Tom Suozzi for his unwavering support of repairing the seawall area. I am sure that without the Congressman's assistance we would not have gotten to this important juncture.

I would like to thank everyone who recycles on a regular basis. Recycling is great for the environment and helps lower our taxes because we are able to dispose of recycling at no cost. Materials that should be recycled include plastic, glass and metal cans and bottles, newspapers, magazines, books, cardboard boxes, computer paper, unwanted mail and any other paper items. Click here for full details on recycling. Presently about 25% of our trash is recyclables but I know that as a community we can and should do better. The goal is to reach 40%. If you are not recycling please start as soon as possible. If you are recycling please strive to be even more aggressive. All recyclables can be commingled and must be placed roadside in a trash can, not plastic bags, every Wednesday. Thanks again for your participation and support.

Mayor Greg Letica