“Very Tentative” Budget Would Raise Taxes 3.6%

Also: New Ideas for Myrtle Intersection

by Harriet Kline

(October 16, 2008) The October 15th meeting of the Mamaroneck Town Board opened with the reading of an annual proclamation designating October 24 United Nations Day in the Town of Mamaroneck. Soon the meeting turned to more urgent issues as the board was presented with a "very tentative" 2009 Town budget. The board also, once again, opened public discussion on the “No Turn on Red” signage at the Myrtle- North Chatsworth intersection.

Tentative 2009 Town Budget

Town Administrator Steve Altieri presented the "very tentative" 2009 Town budget. He said that the budget is being submitted at a time of extraordinary economic uncertainty that makes it particularly difficult to project future pricing for goods and services or to estimate future revenues.

At this time, a comparison between 2008 and 2009 budget figures are as follows:

For a Larchmont or Mamaroneck Village property owner with an average assessment of $20,000, the property tax obligation to the Town would increase from $204 to $294 (i.e., $42%) This would be the first increase in Town property taxes for village residents since 2004. The projected level of increase reflects expansion of Town-wide senior citizen services and large reductions in anticipated revenue.

The tax rate for residents of the unincorporated area of Mamaroneck would increase 3.6% or from $251.55 to $261.05 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation.

Mr. Altieri stressed that the tentative budget reflects only Town staff recommendations and kicks off an eight week review process that will include a number of public work sessions with operating departments. The board will also review a five year capital project plan as well as fees for services before adopting a final budget on December 17.

The public is invited to attend any or all of these meetings.The schedule for budget reviews is below.

More on A Controversial Intersection: Myrtle & North Chatsworth

Another round of public discussion about the intersection at Myrtle Boulevard, North Chatsworth and Murray Avenue ended with a round of applause for the board. New ideas for the intersection were presented by the Town’s traffic consultant, Philip Cimino, and by members of the board and the audience.

It’s been a month since the September 17 public hearing (see Town Delays Decision on “No Turn on Red”) when many residents voiced their appeal for and against the elimination of the “No Turn on Red” signage. Since then Mr. Cimino has presented the board with possible modifications to the existing signage and the board has spent much time discussing this issue. Personal appearances, letters and e-mails from Town residents have predominantly called for the retention (23 to 12) of the ‘No turn on Red Signs.”

No vote was taken last night, but there seemed to be agreement between the board and residents in attendance , including Teddi Becker, Lisa Young and Bill Zelenka, on four substantive points. Supervisor Valerie O’Keeffe summarized these points as follows:

1. continue focus on pedestrian safety
2. install a countdown for the existing WALK signs
3. install new LED and black out signage recently approved by New York State
4. examine the operation of the underground electronic sensors programmed to control the phasing of traffic lights in the intersection.

The audience and board members also advocated for stricter police enforcement of the existing NY State law which says that pedestrians always have the right of way in an intersection.

As a next step, Supervisor O’Keeffe called for Mr. Cimono to come back to the board with a proposal outlining the specifics and costs of these possible modifications to the intersection. The public hearing on the issue was adjourned until the November 19th regularly scheduled board meeting.

Other Town Business:

Zoning - the board unanimously voted to modify the existing zoning rule (section 240-51) specifying setbacks necessary for stairs in the front and side yards but not in the rear yard. According to Town Counsel Bill Maker, this anomaly in the provision forced homeowners to seek a variance for a limited incursion into the rear yard while allowing the same homeowner to intrude into a front or side yard as of right.

Training in Weaver Street Fire House - the board unanimously agreed to renew its agreement with Westchester County to use the Weaver Street firehouse as a fire training center. The agreement runs through June of 2012 but can be terminated by either party on thirty days notice.

Upcoming Public Hearings

• November 5 – proposed regulation of propane tanks
• November 19 – Myrtle Blvd/North Chatsworth intersection
  
  
• October 29-December 17: Budget Reviews

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