Tax increase for Perrysburg residents

by Mary Pankow

     It’s budget time in Perrysburg, and the town board held a public hearing prior to their regular meeting Oct. 10 to discuss the numbers proposed for 2006. Residents can expect a tax increase of approximately 10 percent, according to the budget that was presented.

     Budget Officer Cindy Lauer reviewed the 2006 budget with the board, noting that the amount to be raised by taxes reflects an increase of $43,472. The bottom line of the proposed budget totals $871,271, up $83,769 from the 2005 total. Despite an increase in estimated revenue ($319,440 as opposed to 2005’s $302,040), and unexpended fund balance ($114,040 to 2005’s $91,143), the amount needed to be raised by taxes totals $437,791, up from 2005’s $394,319.

     Some of the reasons for the overall increase include an increase in court expenses with each justice receiving an additional $750 in salary, and the clerk’s salary being raised to $7,600 from $5,000. Total for both justices will be $11,500.

     Other factors are an auditor expense of $900 and deputy town clerk salary increase of $1,000. A decrease in the supervisor’s contractual expense and with no need to budget anything for elections for 2006 since Cattaraugus County will be running the election, offset the increase somewhat ($4,000).

     Contractual expense for the playgrounds and recreation centers line item reflects a $500 increase (up from $750).

     The biggest increases are in the employee benefits categories (state retirement, social security, disability insurance and health insurance), and highway expenses (fuel, snow removal, salting, etc.), Prospect Street water project expenses, Central water project expenses and Versailles water project expenses.

     Again, helping to offset the expenditure increases are $300 more in dog licenses revenue, $1,600 more in fines and forfeited bail, fund balance transfers and state aid.

     The biggest issue during the budget discussion was the fire protection portion that had representatives from Versailles and Perrysburg fire companies requesting increases in appropriations.

     The proposed budget calls for increases totaling $5,769 (Perrysburg: $55,548, up from $52,903; Versailles: $30,000, up from $27,159; and Gowanda: $4,323, up from $4,040); however, Versailles firefighter Joel Neu said the increase is not enough to cover the cost of running the department. Neu is requesting a $40,000 appropriation for Versailles, saying expenditures for the year have been $35,778.

     Aside from firefighting equipment needs, the Versailles hamlet needs a new fire hall, Neu remarked, as evidenced by his need to step sideways to squeeze between the parked trucks.

     After hearing the arguments for fire protection budget increases, and empathizing with the firefighters’ plight, the board decided to hold a public hearing on that portion of the budget on Nov. 5 at 9 a.m. The board did, however, adopt the budget, excluding the fire protection category.

     In other matters, the board:

   •  Decided against continuing to publish the Town Justices’ report.
   •  Heard Building Inspector Jim Pacanowski’s report that indicated keys for the Habitat for Humanity house will be presented to the new owners on Nov. 7. Also, a number of building permits were issued and six are currently under review.
   •  Was informed by Dog Warden Kathy Hagner that the Oct. 28 cat clinic in Gowanda was cancelled. She also reported that several stray dogs have been spotted running loose and recently killed sheep on a nearby farm. One looks like a Husky, one is a Beagle mix and one is a short-haired Golden Retriever mix. Hagner noted that capturing the canines is difficult because they fear people.
   •  Heard Highway Superintendent Charlie Leight’s report that noted the price of road salt has increased $1.52 a ton. Leight added that he has also been stocking sand in anticipation of the winter season. Other items included the announcement that th new chassis was parked in front of the town hall. The highway superintendent explained that the new truck was delivered to Hansen by mistake and then driven to Perrysburg. The chassis must now be taken to Watertown for the installation of the body. In response to Councilman Dick Gabel’s inquiry about striping Panther Drive, Leight said he believed it was the school’s responsibility to mark the road.
   •  Reassured a Versailles resident that they support the purchase of new playground equipment and the town will maintain it.
   •  Authorized Cattaraugus County to act on Perrysburg’s behalf in the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan.
   •  Approved an amendment to the engineering agreement with Mark Alianello, raising the amount from $5,000 to $12,600 to cover the additional services that were needed for the Versailles Water Project.

     Discussion of the water projects then followed the above motion.

     Supervisor Myrton Sprague reported that work on the Versailles Water Project could not begin until the Seneca Nation installs the 600 feet of line from the Nation’s water line. The Nation should be eligible for funding for the installation of the line in 2006. This delays the project until spring with possible Water service available by late summer.

     Regarding the Prospect Street Water Project, Engineer Alianello recommends waiting until early 2006 with construction taking place during July and August.

     Several board members disagreed with Alianello, saying that the residents need water, the weather may hold and work should begin as soon as possible.

     With a majority rule, the board approved putting the Prospect project out to bid.

     Although the wrangling over the J.N. Adam property continues, the City of Buffalo did sign off on the reverter clause so that the town can move forward with the Central Water Project.

     The next Town of Perrysburg Board meeting is Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. in the town hall.