Town Finalizes Budget:
6.6% Tax Hike to Come
by Harriet Kline
(December 16, 2004) The Town of Mamaroneck Board unanimously
passed its budget for calendar year 2005 last night. The budget process,
begun
last
summer,
was the
culmination of staff work, public hearings and presentations and multiple
work sessions (See: Town
Begins '05 Budget)
The tax rate increase for residents of the unincorporated Town will
be 6.6% -- a slight decrease from the tentative projections of 7.3% announced
in October. Town Administrator Steve Altieri announced that this reduction
was driven by two factors: revenue increases and slight readjustments
in expenses.
Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe indicated that the budget
as passed represents a continuation of all current Town services, which
is in line with opinions expressed by residents in this summer's
survey. Councilwoman Judy Meyers called the 2005
budget “a
prudent budget” and Councilwoman Nancy Seligson characterized it
as a “responsible budget.” Board members also encouraged
residents to “shop locally” because the Town was the recipient
of its fair share of sales tax revenues allowed by Westchester County.
Verizon “Boxes” Update
Supervisor O’Keeffe updated the Board on the status of the large
"refrigerator-sized" communications boxes installed by Verizon on selected
telephone poles. Although all but two boxes have been removed from locations
in
the Town, Verizon has yet to comply with an agreement to remove them
all. The Town now has some leverage because Verizon has requested relief
from what they consider outdated public service requirements. Supervisor
O’Keeffe anticipates that Verizon plans to compete with Cablevision
by supplying TV services in the future.
Village of Larchmont Mayor Ken Bialo has also complained about the boxes
that cropped up unexpectedly around Larchmont. He is enforcing a stop
work order that prohibits Verizon from completing installation of more
boxes, however
the previously installed boxes remain at various Village sites. (See: Larchmont
Issues Stop Work Order on Verizon Boxes)
The Town and the Villages of Mamaroneck and Larchmont are currently
reviewing their franchise agreement with Cablevision. Councilwoman Judy
Meyers heads the group and comments may be sent to the following e-mail
address: CableTVcomments@Village
of Mamaroneck.org
The next Town Board meetings have been scheduled for January
5, 2005 and
January 19, 2005.
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