Village News 1992-02

              Mayors Message
(Continued from Page 1)
Starting last February when we learned our state revenue sharing would be reduced
for 1991-92 and eliminated totally for 1992-93, we instituted steps to reduce expenses.
• A hiring freeze was instituted with the directive that any vacant positions would
not be filled unless it was absolutely necessary. All promotions -werefrozen. Throughout
the budget, you will notice positions enumerated with no salary provision. These
positions are, for the most part, vacancies resulting from retirements or resignations
and will not be funded or filled during the upcoming year.
• Employees were offered unpaid furloughs days. This saved approximately $10,000
last year.
• Overtime was eliminated except in extreme situations.
• Eligible employees were given an early retirement incentive with seven accepting
out of 40. .
• A freeze on all purchases, including vehicles, unless absolutely necessary.
• As begun two years ago, user fees, were increased so that the person receiving
the service bears the full cost rather than all the taxpayers.
If this tentative budget is adopted as is, Freeporters will receive, the same level
of service as in 1991-92. It is my feeling that further cuts must be made to minimize
the increase in the burden of the taxpayer. However, these reductions will result
in a noticeable reduction in the level of services which I feel the residents are ready
to accept.
There has to be a change in the way local government is financed. Serving on
the Executive Board of both the New York Conference of Mayors and the Nassau
Village Officials Associations, I am working with local Mayors throughout the state
to lobby our state legislators to make changes to alleviate the burden on the real
property owner.
Top on the list is a personal income tax to replace the present regressive real
property tax. By this method all taxpayers would share the burden, not just those
who can own real property. State mandates must be eliminated or be accompanied
by funding. The Wick's Law must be repealed as being too costly to government
constructing public works projects.
The size of government must shrink. There must be reductions in many areas,
with the exception of public safety. For example, by attrition we have abolished
14 civilian jobs which allowed us to authorize a Police Department of 90 officers,
the highest in the Department's history.
In addition, different levels of government must work cooperatively to reduce costs.
We already have such joint efforts with Nassau County, the Town of Hempstead
and the Freeport School district. Local villages are exploring how we might come
together in several service areas for savings.
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, our department heads and staff, we pledge
our best efforts to continue to provide residents and business owners with the services
which contribute so much to the quality of life in Freeport.
— Dorothy Storm
REFERENCE
ONLY
Village
News
A Public Information Bulletin
of The Village-of Freeport
46 North Ocean Avenue
• Telephone: FReeport 8-4000.
Dorothy Storm, Mayor
Mayor:
p.m., every Friday
rngs: 8:00 p.m.,
1s¥'dEI 3rd Mondays of the Month
February 1992 -
MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
(Editor's Note: The following is the Mayor's Budget Message included in the
tentative budget for 1992-93 which was the subject of a public hearing in
early January. See "Budget Update.") -
r~TT*his tentative budget, which is, in total, $500,000 less than last year's, carries
J. a tax hike of $1.83 per $100 of assessed valuation. -This is an intolerable
increase for the already overburdened real property taxpayer. The tentative budget
is required to be filled on or before December 20th. Prior to adoption, which
must be done in January, the Board of Trustees intends, as in prior years, to
make further reductions to minimize the inevitable tax increase. Several factors
bring us to the budget crisis being experienced by government entities across the
nation; especially in New York.
• The elimination of all state revenue sharing and less state aid for elderly
and youth programs. In 1990-91 we received $1.6million in general revenue sharing.
Last year this was reduced to $745,989, after the budget had been adopted.
• A drop in the assessed valuation from $91.3 million last year to $90.1 million
now. This was brought about by the state-mandated reduction in the value of
the telephone company's central,office equipment^ and.a, large number.of certiorari,
proceedings against the Village.
• State-mandated increase in retirement benefits increased from $601,250 to
$1,436,050. Of this amount, $1,289,180 represents contributions to the Police
Retirement System.
• The contingency fund reflects the fact that we are in contract negotiation
with the Civil Service Employees Association and the Police Benevolent
Association's new contract is in binding arbitration.
• The nationwide stagnant real estate market has decreased considerably our
revenue from the state mortgage tax which in the past generated some $175,000
per year.
(Continued on page 4)
Trustees: Ralph Smith. Victor Cohen, Vincent P. Campion, Catherine Collins: Village Justice: Michael Solomon
Village Clerk: Karen A. Navin; Counsel: William Glacken; Treasurer: Michael Haran
Over^Oeeupaney Hot
The Building Department's Task Force on Over-Occupancies, has established a
Hot Line for reporting suspected over-occupancies. The number, 378-4005, is
available to the public after 4:30pm weekdays and around the clock on weekends
and holidays.
Members of the Task Force are working outside the Village's normal hours and
days and may be available to answer the Hot Line telephone. If not, there is a recorded
message asking the caller for their name and phone number. An inspector with the
Task Force will return the call. The name of the person reporting a suspected over-occupancy
will be treated in a confidential manner.
In announcing the establishment of the Hot Line, Mayor Dorothy Storm urged
residents to participate in this effort to eradicate illegal rentals. "In this time of financial
crisis it is most urgent that we rid the Village of this illegal practice which drains
our services being paid for by the overburdened taxpayer." •
ies Shots Mandated
The Freeport government has received notification from the State the "for the
health and welfare of the people of Nassau County," all dogs six months of age
or over within the County shall require compulsory anti-rabies vaccination.
The law went into effect January 1. When filing an application for a dog license
with the Village's Registrars, it must be accompanied by a rabies certificate signed
by a licensed veterinarian.
The law was passed because of the finding of diseased wildlife in Nassau County
after a similar finding in Suffolk County the year before. A pet attacked by a rabid
animal can pass the deadly virus to humans. •
Parking Stickers
All present commuter parking stickers expire as of February 29.
New stickers will go on sale mid-February at the Registrar's counter in Village
Hall, 8:30am to 4pm. The cost has been increased by 5% to $52.50. In addition there
is a state-mandated tax which'the Village collects for the state. *" '"'*" " """""" "'
In order to obtain a sticker, residents.must present their current registration for
the vehicle they will be using in commuter parking lots. In addition, a current electric
bill must be furnished. Both the registration and electric bill must bear the same
first and last names. •
Park Closed
Superintendent of Public Works David Lovejoy has announced the temporary
closing of Waterfront Park at the foot of South Long Beach Avenue.
The closing is necessary because of the reconstruction of the entire bulkheading.
The project is being accomplished with funds from the proceeds of the sale of Fireman's
Field for the development of the Meadowbrook Commons.
The work is scheduled to take two months. The closing of the entire park is required
because of the heavy construction equipment at the site and dangerous evacuations
in the earth. •
On Sunday, March 1, the Century One Centennial committee will present a free
Inter-Faith Centennial Music Festival beginning at 3pm in the High School's
auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Committee's Cultural division headed
by Edward Yamin. Jeanne Raynor is chairwoman of the Festival which is similar
to that presented very successfully in 1976.
The major performing group will be a Combined Inter-Faith Centennial Choir
consisting of members of 14 different houses of worship in the Village. Choir Director
will be S. Talbot Thayer, a distinguished retired music educator who has lived in
the Village for 25 years. Accompanist will be Victor Simonson, a Freeport High School
student who is an accomplished pianist.
The Festival will also include some six other "sounds of Faith" that can be heard
in the Village including the liturgy of the Jewish and Catholic traditions, a Bell Choir,
a Gospel sound, music of the Hispanic Ministries and a Timbrel Brigade presentation
of praise by the Salvation Army. The Inter-Faith Brass Ensemble and Trumpet Choir,
known to those who attend the Annual Blessing of the Fleet, will also perform.
Another Centennial event will be an art auction by Ross Galleries of Holbrook
to be held on Saturday, March 14, at the Recreation Center. The preview of some
200 framed pieces, worth $40 to $300, will begin at 7pm and refreshments will be
served. The auction will begin at 8pm. Admission is $5 per person or $7.50 per couple.
For further information, call 623-5967 or 623-1330. •
Budget Update
Final Tax Increase Reduced To $1.24
The tentative 1992-93 municipal budget which was the subject of a public hearing
on January 6, was for a total of $26,899,422 and a tax rate of $1.83 per $100
of assessed valuation (See Message From The Mayor beginning on Page 1). As
promised at the hearing; the Board of Trustees, the Village Treasurer and the
department heads worked on further cuts. In the first round $107,080 was cut but
the Board refused to approve the revised budget insisting on additional reductions.
On January 18, the budget was approved. The final budget amount is for $26,279,558,
a reduction from the original of $502,784, and has a tax rate of $1.24, a decrease
of 59 cents.
In addition, under a contractual amendment with Five Counties Carting co.,
sanitation costs were reduced by $77,000 so that the refuse user fee for all properties
will be reduced by $9.
Cuts from the budget include a freeze on promotions, reduction of part-time and
overtime, supplies, seminars, the elimination of 24 full-time positions (by attrition
and 11 layoffs), a voluntary 5% cut in the Trustees' salary, reduction the number
of vehicles, maintenance and fuel, a reduction in police overtime, and a mandatory
vacation for Recreation Center during refurbishing. •