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[MESSAGE JSNF-285-09]

DRAFT Minutes of the March 17, 2020 Special Meeting of the Asharoken Board of Trustees

 Incorporated Village of Asharoken

Board of Trustees Special Meeting/Work Session on the Tentative Budget

Due to the Corona virus the Board of Trustees held the meeting via Teleconference

        Tuesday, March 17, 2020 4:00pm

             At the Village Hall

Approximate Attendance (7)

                                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                DRAFT

Officer Present:                                                           

Greg Letica, Mayor

Officers Present via Teleconference:             

Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor

Melvin Ettinger, Trustee

Laura Burke, Trustee

Ian Jablonski, Trustee

 

Appointees Present:

Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk

Emily Hayes, Treasurer

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was said.

 

Mayor Letica opened up the meeting and confirmed that the officers received the Tentative Budget for fiscal year end 5/31/2021. Today’s meeting is a work session and we will hold a public hearing on April 7th.

 

Mayor Letica took a roll call:

Mayor Letica                     Present

Deputy Mayor Pierce    Present

Trustee Ettinger              Present

Trustee Jablonski           Present

Trustee Burke                  Present

Emily Hayes                      Present

Nancy Rittenhouse         Present

 

Publication was confirmed. Village Clerk Rittenhouse noted that two emails were sent to all residents communicating the teleconference call work session; the media was notified via email, and the work session was published in November 2019 along with the calendar of meeting dates.

 

Mayor Letica noted that the tentative budget was emailed to all trustees;

 

Deputy Mayor Pierce    Received and Reviewed

Trustee Ettinger              Received and Reviewed

Trustee Jablonski           Received and Reviewed

Trustee Burke                  Received and Reviewed

 

Mayor Letica noted that the tentative budget is proposing a .4% tax increase. The salary increases are 3% for employees and our Village Attorney. Significant reductions were made in interest and earnings. We are concerned that we will get less in interest & earnings next year. We lowered are mortgage tax and increased our utility tax revenue.

 

We had increases in contractual police salaries, retirement costs, and Fire/EMS Contract costs, and landfill costs due to recycling increases. We reduced our contingent account; because we increased it last year for police radios. We had a reduction in health insurance costs due to personnel coverage change and a slight decrease in overall costs, marine tour costs were reduced, and police fuel and actuarial costs were reduced as well.

 

Mayor Letica asked if the trustees would like to review any other the line items or have any additional comments.  Trustee Burke asked what it would take to have no property tax increase. She noted that she felt strongly not to raise taxes. Mayor Letica noted that it would take another $8000 to reduce the budget in order to have a flat property tax. Mayor Letica asked the other trustees their thoughts on that recommendation.

Trustee Pierce was happy with the slight increase.

Trustee Ettinger felt similar with the slight increase.

Trustee Burke noted that given the circumstances keeping the property tax flat would be good for our residents.

Treasurer Hayes suggested that we can increase the start income balance to create a flat tax.

Trustee Jablonski noted that he agreed with everything; and he agrees with Treasurer Hayes point.

 

Mayor Letica noted that if our Treasurer suggests we are able to increase our Start Income then we should take this opportunity to achieve a flat property tax.

 

Mayor Letica noted that the Village Clerk will raise the Start Income by $7200.00.

Mayor Letica made a motion to increase Start Income by $7200.00, seconded by Trustee Burke.

 Trustee Jablonski                                          AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

Mayor Letica provided an update on the Corona virus.

Trustee Burke asked about the Public Hearing on the budget and if we will be having teleconference call; Mayor Letica noted that we are waiting for confirmation on this. He noted that court sessions have been suspended until May 6th and that proper cleaning protocols must be followed for the police station and the village offices.

 

Mayor Letica made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Ettinger.

Trustee Jablonski                                           AYE

Trustee Burke                                                  AYE

Trustee Ettinger                                              AYE

Deputy Mayor Pierce                                    AYE

Mayor Letica                                                     AYE

Motioned Carried.

 

The March 17, 2020 Special board meeting of the Board of Trustees was adjourned at approximately 4:33pm.               

Signed: _____________________________________________

                Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk