TOWN OF NORTH HARMONY
PRELIMINARY AND SPECIAL DISTRICT BUDGET HEARING
AND SPECIAL MEETING
THURSDAY, 11/5/2020, 6:30 PM
ROBERT YATES, SUPERVISOR PRESENT
DICK SENA, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
DUNCAN MCNEILL, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
LOUISE ORTMAN, COUNCILWOMAN PRESENT
STEVE SENSKE, COUNCILMAN PRESENT
OTHERS PRESENT: Dale Robbins/Kelly Johnson, Attorney; Ellie McNeill; Clayton & Helen Emick; Dan Thomas, Will Ortman; Robin Miller, Bookkeeper; Nancy Thomas, Town Clerk
Mr. Yates brought the hearing to order at 6:30 PM with the Pledge and a moment of silence. He noted that this is our first meeting in the new building.
Mrs. Ortman said the Board members have had many opportunities to look at the budget; ask questions; seek information and offer suggestions. She thanked the Supervisor and Bookkeeper for all their hard work on this budget.
Mr. Yates noted that the tax rate per one thousand of taxable value went down $.02 from $2.96 to $2.94.
Mr. Sena noted that there were no changes from the Tentative Budget which was discussed at the 10/21/20 meeting except for pages 12 & 15. He said he felt those should be reviewed.
Mr. Yates said there had been no changes to the General Fund but had been some on Special Districts. He said the BOCES Special District was reduced. He said Ashville Light District SL5182.4 had been reduced from $9,000.00 to $8,000.00.
Mrs. Miller noted that the BOCES maintenance reserve was eliminated because they will pay that bill directly to the BPU.
Mr. McNeill said he is happy with the budget.
Mr. Robbins asked if what they owe is $9,578.00 and does that include half of the $11,307.00 that they incurred for the cleaning of the sewer system this summer.
Mrs. Miller said she believes so. She said the $12,000 reserve is going to cover half of the cost of the clean out and the prior year pump replacement. BOCES had paid their half of the pump repair last year when the charge was incurred.
Mr. Yates said the Sunrise Cove Association had questioned if the town would remove/abolish the line item for the reserve fund tax from the tax roll when the new lines are installed.
Mr. Robbins said the reason for not removing it in 2021 is that you will be funding prior years expenses associated with the district. He asked if the sewer district will take over the lines.
Mr. Yates said yes, and the town will be out of the sewer business completely.
There was further discussion that there were many issues with the existing system which is not up to standard and that will be alleviated/corrected when the new system goes in.
Mr. Yates asked Mr. Ortman if the project will go out to bid this spring.
Mr. Ortman said that is the current plan.
Mr. Yates said notices for easements will be going out; he will be notified the day before they go out as he will be receiving many phone calls. He said we will want to put something on the Website regarding this. He said there will be many questions from the public and he recommended that they be advised of the sewer website page for correct information. Mr. Yates asked if there were any questions from the public pertaining to the budget.
Mr. Emick asked what the reason for the 33% decrease in the revenues of the court from actuals of $133,568 in 2019 to a 2021 preliminary revenue of $100,000.
Mr. Yates said because the COVID situation in 2020 has caused decrease in revenues.
Mr. Emick also asked about the Reserve Court Fund of $60,000 for 2021.
Mrs. Miller said in 2018 we set aside $63,200 for an anticipated cost for our BAN which was not utilized because construction was not started. She said it was set aside and earmarked for Capital and that is what she used towards 2021 budget.
There was further general discussion, and it was felt that we need to see what 2021 brings.
Mr. Robbins said NYS no longer revokes licenses due to nonpayment of fines and that would influence revenues.
Mrs. Emick asked what percentage of set fines are actually paid.
Mr. Yates said that would be a question for the Court.
Mr. Yates asked if there were any further questions.
- MOTION # 105 OF 2020
- MCNEILL MOTIONED FOR AN ADJOURNMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2021 BUDGET AT 6:45. MR. SENSKE SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD:
- MOTION # 106 OF 2020
- SENA MOTIONED TO ADOPT THE 2021 BUDGET AS REVIEWED BY THE BOARD AND THE PUBLIC. MRS. ORTMAN SECONDED. YES (5): SENA, MCNEILL, ORTMAN, SENSKE, YATES. NO (0). THE MOTION WAS CARRIED.
- MOTION # 107 OF 2020
ON A MOTION MADE BY MR. MCNEILL, SECONDED BY MR. SENSKE, AND NONE BEING OPPOSED THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 6:50 PM.
Nancy M. Thomas
Town Clerk
