Public Hearing to Review the Preliminary Budget

Present:
Richard Knox - Town Supervisor - absent
Carol Coller - Councilwoman
Evah Foster - Councilwoman
Courtney Jeanette - Councilwoman
David Whiteford - Councilman
Tess Eells - Town Clerk
Larry White - Highway Superintendent

Guests:
Fred Backus
Michelle Flack
Kendra Matthews

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Councilwoman Foster

Councilwoman Foster stated that the budget director had a couple of changes for the budget before the public hearing is opened. The town received an extra $26,000 from sales tax; half went in highway and half went in general

• Change #1 in the General fund the total tax levy will be reduced by $10,000 it went from $189,331 to $179,331

• Change #2 In the Highway Fund under tax levy it was reduced by $5,000 it went from $437,041 to $432,041

• Change #3 the total tax levy went from $727,588 to $712,199

• Change #4 in highway revenues property tax for 2009 went from $437,041 to $432,041

• Change #5 in highway revenue under county sales tax the amount went from $131,250 to $136,250

• Change #6 the total tax levy went from 13% increase to 11% increase over last year.

Councilwoman Foster made a motion and it was seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to open the Public Hearing at 7:06pm.

Coller - yes
Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

Councilwoman Foster asked if there were any questions.

Superintendent White asked where the $5,000 came out of. It was taken out of the money appropriated towards fuel for the town barn. With the new wood furnace it should save on fuel.

No other questions were asked by the public.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster to close the public hearing and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette at 7:09 and return to regular business.

Coller - yes
Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #77: Adopting the Preliminary Budget for 2009

A motion was made by Councilman Whiteford and seconded by Councilwoman Jeanette to adopt the Preliminary budget with the above changes as the 2009 budget.

Coller - yes
Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

The extra $13,000 from sales tax in the general fund will be used to pay the bill for installation of the new wood furnace at the town barn. The extra $13,000 that was put in the highway fund from sales tax will be used to pay the forthcoming highway bills that are due by request of the highway superintendent.

A discussion about the quotes for the new boiler in the new Library/Museum took place.

Resolution #78: Boiler for the New Library/Museum

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to purchase the boiler at $4,500 and the materials at $4,096.08 from Gouverneur Plumbing and have Theodore Goolden Plumbing and Heating do the installation at the cost of $2,560.

Coller - yes
Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

Resolution #79: Authorizing the Supervisor to Pay for Wood Furnace at the Town Barn

A motion was made by Councilwoman Jeanette and seconded by Councilman Whiteford to authorize the supervisor to pay Fobare for the purchase of a wood furnace and the installation at the town barn for the amount of $14,055.00

Coller - yes
Jeanette - yes
Foster - yes
Whiteford - yes

Motion carried.

Councilwoman Foster stated that the sales tax should be the same for next year.

Supervisor Knox entered at 7:30pm

He asked Superintendent White if he wanted to use the extra $13,000 to lower the tax rate. Superintendent White stated he needed it for paying the bills that are due.

Supervisor Knox stated he has been getting complaints about the town giving up the county roads but yet are still traveling them. Superintendent White stated give them his number and he will sit down and explain the money loss to them.

A motion was made by Councilwoman Foster to adjourn the meeting at 7:45pm. All were in favor. Motion carried.