BUDGET WORKSHOP MINUTES FEBRUARY 27, 2020
Present: Blundell; Trapp; Norris and Kovalchik. CP Laing was absent.
Clerk Chiarella could not attend due to family bereavement leave. Blundell took notes.
Meeting was opened by Mayor Blundell at 7pm with a review of Highway Department requests presented the prior week by foreman Dan Streib.
Ornamental Lights along So. Broadway- Dan had found led/solar replacement tops that purportedly could be retro-fitted. These are currently out of order. Blundell pointed out that the true lighting for the area is from overhead street lights and our ornamental lights are for decorative use, not illumination for any other purpose. Trustee Trapp had done further research and indicated the items suggested would only generate 60 watts illumination.
Blundell also pointed out we hired an electrician to look at restoring all of our decorative lights but these two involve major sidewalk work and costs along Rt 9. We were able to do the actual lot lights with the DASNY grant money since they did not involve tearing up infrastructure on Rt 9 and fit the grant design.
The Board discussed limitations in our procurement policy regarding giving purchase authority – of $10 15,000 to the foreman for a used service truck and that this type purchase would not meet the 10 year life required by CHIPS. There does not seem to be a pathway to easily go buy a used truck in the private market and comply with our procurement policy.
On the larger truck requested, we can identify a state contract and use CHIPS plus other sources. We will structure that out but for next fiscal year.
The Board then reviewed multiple aspects of the budget and worked on the spreadsheet to reach a tentative budget.
Mayor Blundell reminded the Board he would like to follow prior years and pass the ability to over-ride the 1.78% tax cap just we have that in our options … but we do not want to exercise it.
Water Budget - Blundell indicated he sees a need to consider a 2% increase in rates, possibly just on the consumption scales, not the base rate, since revenue is not quite matching up to projections and we need to consider some projects like the inter-connect and have the ability to maintain repair balances. It may not be crucial since there is the USDA-RD Short term asset fund but not every repair is short term related.
Trustee Trapp has concern on raising costs. Tr. Kovalchik wondered if we could just charge town customers. Blundell did not think isolating it to town made sense since it is not a specific matter to town customers. Whether or not we increase the rate will be studied further.
Meeting ended at 8:30 pm.