Due to the snow storm and snow removal there will be no parking on Main Street Until Further Notice
From the Mayor’s Office – April 13, 2023
Village Budget 2023/24
I’m pleased to report that the Village has remained within the 2% cap for fiscal year 2023/24. As defined by law the allowable levy growth is 2% or the inflation factor (CPI) whichever is lower. The current CPI is 8.06%. The cap can be overridden by Board resolution.
Some highlights of this year’s Budget. The Wastewater Plant Improvements Plan is a 12-million-dollar project. The Village received a 3-million-dollar grant from the NYS Environmental Facilities Corporation. Through the Sewer Plant Improvements Land Tax, we are able to save on a yearly basis those funds that will be used to repay the anticipated 15-year long-term bond.
The Village Budget is divided into three categories: The General Fund, the Water Fund, which includes purification and distribution, and the Sewer Fund.
Under the General Fund projects include: Village Hall upgrades, a new pole barn at the General Garage to replace a construction trailer. In Streets and Roads, this year’s budget includes the following: South Street Sidewalk repair between Second and Third, a purchase of a Mason Dump Truck and paving of the following streets: South St Ext., Welling Avenue, Church Street, Cherry Street, Crescent Avenue. Under Storm Sewers, Country Lane is slated for improvements. In Parks, new and replacement cameras at multiple Stanley Deming Park locations, new Toolcat attachments, backpack blowers, weedwhackers, push mowers, the continuation of the Memorial Park Master Plan and implementation of first stage proposals. The following are grant applications with anticipated funding of $150, 220. HUD CDBG – South Street ADA sidewalks; NYS DEC (2) Charging Stations; LGRMIF Records Management; NYS Justice Court- Courtroom improvements. Some grant applications that have been submitted include RAISE Grant for Sidewalk improvement planning.
In the Water Fund projects under Purification include: Well #3 construction including a new sewer line connection; Well #2 module replacement; Maple Avenue Pump Station relocation. Under Transmission: Water shed land acquisition, water meter replacement, re-roofing at the Water Treatment Plant. Grant applications include USEPA Lead Service Line Inventory; LOCAP/DASNY Maple Avenue Pump Station relocation; NYS DEC WQIP Reservoir land acquisition. All total funding anticipation $1,138,150. A recent grant submission not included in anticipated funding is the Community Project Funds through the Office of Congressman Pat Ryan for Well#3.
The Sewer Fund includes the following projects: Sewer Pump Stations chemical handling equipment, electric motor replacements, replacement of secondary return pumps.
For the Sewer Collection System are included purchase of a Sewer Jet Truck, repairs to RBC units and an inflow and Infiltration Study. In Grant application is the Inflow and Infiltration Study for $80,000.
The proposed Water/Sewer rates for 2023/24 are a 6% increase on In-Village Water Rates and 2% increase on In-Village Sewer Rates.
I would like to thank the Village Board, Department Heads, Village Accountant, Michael Venieri, Village Treasurer Sadie Becker, and Deputy Treasurer Denise Bulnes for their hard work especially in the face of mounting cost and inflation. We have created a budget that is robust and that stays within the 2% parameters. There is no loss of Village of services and major infrastructure projects continue. This is a testament to teamwork and creativity and a shared responsibility to the residents of our Village.
The next Village Board meeting will take place on Monday, April 17, 2023, at 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall, 77 Main Street.
