Tusten passes budget with one dissent

Posted 8/21/12

NARROWSBURG, NY — There was a public hearing preceding the Tusten Town Board meeting on Monday night to discuss the town’s proposed 2015 budget. The half-hour public comment period did not have …

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Tusten passes budget with one dissent

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NARROWSBURG, NY — There was a public hearing preceding the Tusten Town Board meeting on Monday night to discuss the town’s proposed 2015 budget. The half-hour public comment period did not have any public comment. The board presented the 2015 budget and explained that there would be a 1.5% tax increase. In the past two years, there had been no increase. “You can’t always go with a zero; I try to go low,” Supervisor Carol Wingert said.

Although Councilman Ned Lang was not in attendance, he had previously sent an email that Supervisor Wingert read aloud. Lang disagreed with the salary for the bookkeeper, which is $41,340. The board disagreed with Lang, saying that the bookkeeper, Karen Valenti, is an invaluable asset, and that she assumes other duties besides bookkeeping, including receptionist, human resource officer, health insurance officer, water and sewer clerk, highway clerk and payroll clerk as well as other duties. With no comment from the public, the board put the 2015 budget to a vote, and it was passed.

During board comment, Wingert said it was the smoothest budget meeting she’s done. “Three hours total and the budget was done,” she said. “Everyone did their homework and read everything we sent out.”

Also during the meeting, Larry Boudreau, director of land development for The Chazen Companies, made a presentation regarding plans for the waterfront development plan, specifically the Main Street deck. He explained that the new deck would be made of stamped and dyed concrete, would have a cable railing to offer a better view of the Eddy, and would merge seamlessly with the sidewalk. The estimated cost is a little over $300,000. The majority of that expense is for the foundation of the deck, which would have to be drilled down into the rock. The construction would take one season, or about three months, to complete.

It was also announced that the state has approved the allocation of the $106,000 grant that the town received toward the waterfront redevelopment project for the deck. The allocation is because other components of the plan cannot be worked on now because of the construction of the bridge. That means that so far the town has $106,000 plus the $25,000 grant from the Narrowsburg Beautification Group for a total of $131,000 toward the cost of the deck. They still need about $170,000. The town board talked about possible fundraisers, as well as online crowdfunding (see story above). The board also discussed getting a bond, as interest rates are low right now.

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