Incorporated Village of Asharoken
Board of Trustees Work session
Held on Tuesday
January 21st, 2014 6:00 P.M
At the Northport Power Plant
Attendance (9)
Officers Present:
Greg Letica, Mayor
Pam Pierce, Deputy Mayor
Melvin Ettinger, Trustee
Ian Jablonski, Trustee
Laura Burke, Trustee
Officials & Appointees Present:
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk
Emily Hayes, Treasurer
Ray Mahdesian, Officer-in-Charge
The Pledge of Allegiance was said.
Proof of Notice was made.
Mayor Letica opened up the meeting;
Mayor Letica asked Emily Hayes to go through the budget worksheet with the board.
The board began reviewing the revenue section of the budget. Trustee Burke asked about the Public Safety revenue. Trustee Jablonski asked about the anticipated start income amount. Emily noted that this is the difference between your budgeted figures vs. actual figures for the year. Trustee Jablonski asked about the franchise line item (Verizon and Cablevision) as well as the other various utilities that we receive franchise amounts from. Trustee Burke inquired about the mortgage tax receipts. Trustee Jablonski asked about the building permit fee budget. Emily Hayes noted that it is very difficult to budget for building fees unless we are aware of a specific project that will be taking place.
Trustee Jablonski asked about fines and forfeited bail, Emily noted that the difference between the revenue and expense is approximately $12,000. Trustee Burke asked about the misc revenue, Mayor Letica noted that this is reimbursed health insurance cost from deceased retired police officer spouses and the other piece is the operation shield reimbursement amount. Trustee Jablonski asked about sale for refuse which reflects 7 months of revenue. Trustee Burke asked about BOT printing, Nancy Rittenhouse noted that this is for newsletter. Trustee Jablonski asked about general government line item, Nancy Rittenhouse noted that this is the 2% of fire insurance premiums outside of New York State that is a pass-through amount to Northport Fire Department. The board discussed the ability to keep the tax rate low and noted that the tentative assessment has decreased which affects the tax rate. Deputy Mayor Pierce asked about the highway reserve, and Emily Hayes noted that we have approx. $78,000 in highway reserve and have budgeted $13,500 in this coming budget. Trustee Burke asked about the number of marine tours. Mayor Letica noted that most of the increased expenses are hard figures, such as Workers’ compensation, Medicare, social security, fire protection and village hall postage. Mayor Letica noted that the pension figures were decreased due to the rate going down; the car repairs were decreased due to the purchase of two new police cars. Trustee Jablonski asked about the contractual and other various expenditures.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse explained to the board the need to compare the 2013-2014 tax warrant to the 2013-2014 tax role and then to reconcile the outstanding taxes to the 2013-2014 tax role. The board performed the certification.
Village Clerk, Nancy Rittenhouse noted that prior to grievance day the tentative assessment has decreased by approximately 134,000 assessed dollars. Next year the village will see a large portion of the decreased assessment reverse itself, due to the completion of ongoing projects.
Trustee Ettinger went through three proposals that he solicited for a new generator for the Village Hall and Police Department. He noted that if we purchase the generator needed for the new building now the cost of the initial hook up to the trailers and then the re-hook up to the new building would be expensive. He then proposed a significantly less costly option to purchase a smaller generator to support the village trailers.
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk explained the 2% tax cap calculation.
Mayor Letica asked the board if anyone has any outstanding issues regarding the IMA, the board did not.
Officer-in-charge noted that the Homeland Security is doing a test on January 29th between the hours of 4:30am and 5:30am where F16 will be flying in our area for Super Bowl preparation.
Mayor Letica made a motion to go into executive session for personnel matters, seconded by Trustee Ettinger
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
No decisions were made in executive session.
Mayor Letica made a motion to close executive session at 7:25pm, seconded by Trustee Ettinger
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
Trustee Ettinger motioned to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Trustee Jablonski.
Trustee Jablonski AYE
Trustee Ettinger AYE
Trustee Burke AYE
Deputy Mayor Pierce AYE
Mayor Letica AYE
The January 21st, 2014 meeting of the Board of Trustees work session was adjourned at approximately 7:26 pm.
Signed: _____________________________________________
Nancy Rittenhouse, Village Clerk