RED HOOK TOWN BOARD PUBLIC HEARING October 14, 2020 A special budget workshop meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Red Hook, Dutchess County, New York was convened by Zoom Videoconference due to COVID-19 pandemic stay in place rules at the Town Hall, 7340 South Broadway, Red Hook at 7:00 p.m. Present :
Supervisor Robert McKeon Councilmember Christine Kane Councilmember William Hamel Councilmember Jacob Testa Councilmember William O’Neill Town Clerk Deanna Cochran Also Present: Ann Conway, Business Manager Supervisor McKeon called the public hearing meeting to order and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor McKeon noted that for the record, there were no comments for the public hearing and noted the highlights for tonight’s meeting and went through the slides. Supervisor McKeon explained that the tax cap is staying flat once again this year. It’s the fifth consecutive year that it’s been flat or slightly lower. He said that in 2020, funds were drawn down from the fund balance as there were two significant capital projects, the renovation of the Rec. Park, expansion and trailhead and the Stony Brook Culvert project. He noted that we’ve maintained a AA which is a very high rating by Standard and Poors and a living wage was implemented at Town Hall, a minimum wage of $17/hr., for all employees that work at the Town of Red Hook. He continued by saying that we are exploring the ability for taxpayers to pay their property taxes online as well as their water rents. He also said that we are trying to provide some additional funding towards the Highway Department for shared services or temporary help. The staffing level for the Highway Department is the same as the staffing level in the Town of Rhinebeck and higher than the Town of Milan. Councilmember Kane wanted to make sure it was mentioned the difficulty in forecasting the sales tax and the recommendation for planning for this, and she also pointed out how we had to reduce the state aid by 20% and where that falls. Supervisor McKeon explained that we get an AIM payment in our A Fund. We’ve been guided by the NYS Comptroller’s office to plan on a 20% reduction on that contribution. In 2020 we were told we would receive $33,205. That payment hasn’t been received yet. In 2021, a 20% reduction would be $26,564. We also budged for a 20% reduction in the DB Fund - Road Improvements-CHIPS at $130,490 for 2020 and a 20% reduction would be $104,310. There were two other state programs, PAVE NY and EWR relating to capital improvements that have been reduced by 20%. Supervisor McKeon asked Business Manager Conway to explain the Tax Cap Requirement Form. Business Manager Conway said she filled out the online form on the State Comptroller’s website to show that we are not going over the 2% tax cap. On a motion of Councilmember O’Neill seconded by Councilmember Kane moved to close the budget public hearing. Adopted Ayes 5 McKeon, O’Neill, Kane, Hamel, Testa Nays 0 On motion of Councilmember Hamel seconded by Councilmember O’Neill moved to adopt the Fiscal Year 2021 Town Budget. Adopted Ayes 5 McKeon, O’Neill, Kane, Hamel, Testa Nays 0 Supervisor McKeon announced that the census deadline has been moved forward to October 15th. Supervisor McKeon also announced that the Board of Elections has granted the request to move the polling site for Districts 7 and 8 from the Town Hall to the Linden Avenue Middle School Gymnasium. A notice will go out when the Town gets a formal confirmation from the Board of Elections on Districts 7 and 8. He reminded all that you can vote by absentee ballot, in person on Election Day or early voting.
On a motion of Councilperson Kane seconded by Councilmember Testa moved to adjourn the meeting. Adopted Ayes 5 McKeon, O’Neill, Kane, Hamel, Testa Nays 0
Respectfully submitted,
Deanna Cochran, Town Clerk