Board of Trustees
Village of Tarrytown
Special Meeting No. 3
April 13, 2011
7:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Fixell, Trustees Basher, Butler, Hoyt, McGee, McGovern and Zollo; Administrator Blau, Treasurer Hart, Attorney Shumejda
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee McGee to open the Public Hearing on the tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2011-2012.
Administrator Blau provided a brief summary of the tentative budget as well as the modifications that the Board of Trustees had authorized to the tentative budget document at the budget Work Session conducted on April 11.
Mayor Fixell invited all those interested in providing input on the tentative budget document to speak to the Board of Trustees. Steve Wilgermein, 330 South Broadway addressed the Board. Mr. Wilgermein noted that he was pleased that the Board of Trustees had already taken action at the Work Session to reduce the proposed tax rate increase. He noted that he had read a listing of some of the items that were being cut by the Board and was concerned about the impact on the quality of life in Tarrytown. Examples he cited were the 4th of July fireworks and the bands for the Halloween parade.
Trustee Hoyt noted that the 4th of July fireworks were not being cut permanently, but were removed from the proposed budget due to the fact that Pierson Park, which is the primary viewing area in the Village will be closed for construction. He also noted that there are more than one band involved in the Halloween parade and the Board had just cut one of the bands.
Mr. Wilgermein asked whether there were other areas for the Board to cut in the budget. Mayor Fixell noted that the Board could always lay off staff, but that has an impact on the services provided to the residents. He also noted that many of the items included in the budget were beyond the control of the Board of Trustees and were dictated by the State.
Mr. Wilgermein noted that he was concerned about the debt and asked about the two capital projects on the waterfront and what happens if the projects go over budget. Mayor Fixell noted that if the projects come in over budget after the projects are bid, the Board can reduce the cost by removing items from the projects.
Trustee Butler noted that this was a good time for the Village to be performing capital work due to the interest rates. He noted that everyone is concerned about the debt but this is a good time to complete projects. He further noted that the Board needs to wait for the bids and see if it is necessary to scale back. The decisions will be made after the bids are received and opened.
Trustee Butler issued a challenge and residents should come forward and bring some solutions to the Board to address budget cuts if the residents are not pleased with the cuts to the tentative budget.
Trustee Basher moved, seconded by Trustee Zollo to continue the public hearing on the tentative budget until April 18 at 8:00 p.m.
The Board of Trustees moved into the regularly scheduled Work Session at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael S. Blau
Village Administrator
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