March 22, 2019

Dear Neighbors:

It is my pleasure to provide you with the Tentative Budget for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2020. Click here to view the Tentative Budget in detail.

This budget proposes a 0% tax increase and a tax levy that stays under the NYS 2% Tax Cap Law. This is the fourth consecutive 0% tax increase and the seventh consecutive budget I have presented that stayed under the NYS Tax Cap. In addition every year the Office of State Comptroller performs a Fiscal Stress test on local governments and for the fifth year in a row Asharoken was awarded the highest possible rating, "No Designation".

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 health insurance, and fire, EMS and paramedic services. Our health insurance increase is due to higher insurance rates and adding a new full-time police officer to the plan to replace a retired officer. The fire and EMS contract with the Village of Northport increased based on the five year contract. Smaller increases occurred in administrative costs, payroll increases, audit expenses, sanitation, and insurance. Offsetting these increases were reductions in police personnel, police and fire retirement and social security. Police and sanitation fuel were also reduced due to our shared service program with the Village of Northport.

The Village will reserve funds for mandatory police radio upgrades, future highway projects and unpaid benefits (police retirement costs).

Several adjustments were also made on the revenue side with a significant increase in interest income. The Village is working closely with our financial representative to ensure we receive the highest interest rates possible.

I would like to thank Clerk Nancy Rittenhouse and Treasurer Emily Hayes for helping prepare this budget. Together they have worked on the last eleven budgets and their expertise really shows.

The Village will hold a public hearing on the budget on April 2, 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 8, 2019

Dear Neighbors:

I would like to thank you for adapting so well to the new dual stream recycling program. Although it is more work than the previous single stream program, everyone has managed to switch over seamlessly. I would like to encourage you to recycle very aggressively. Not only is it good for the environment but it also reduces our costs.

The Board of Trustees has scheduled a required special meeting on Tuesday, March 12th at 4pm where the Village Clerk and Treasurer will present the budget to the board for review. The Board will review the tentative budget and make necessary changes. The adjusted tentative budget will then be presented at our public hearing held on April 2nd at 6:30pm. A copy of the tentative budget packet will be emailed and posted on the website for your review prior to the public hearing.

I would like to congratulate Asharoken resident and Newsday editorial cartoonist Matt Davies for being awarded the Herblock Prize for excellence in editorial cartooning. He has now become the first two-time recipient of this prestigious honor. Matt has also been awarded a Pulitzer prize. You may not always agree with Matt's point of view but you have to marvel at his wit and insight into the political world. Great job Matt!

This week an otter was seen and photographed in the pond behind Kew Court by Jack Maniscalco. This is the first time I have heard of an otter sighting in the Village. We can expect to have our Osprey return in the next 10-14 days. If that isn't a sure sign of spring, what is?

Wishing everyone a great weekend,
Mayor Greg Letica