Residents Want Continued Tax Cuts; Some Suggest How Surplus Could be Used

RFH 2010, Cover Stories, Town of Hamilton

Mon, Dec 13, 2010

So far, those who have responded to a Radio Free Hamilton survey about the Town of Hamilton Board decision to use $100,000 of a fund surplus to lower taxes want to see that continue.

Almost 52 percent of those who answered the survey said they wanted the board to continue using money that had accumulated in fund balances over a number of years used to lower taxes in years to come. There is about $500,000 left in a total $1.2 million reserve made public in an audit by the state Comptroller's office. Some $400,00-plus is in a capital expense fund for major purchases.

Comments by respondents offer some suggestions about how the money could be used, and how town operations out to be changed to prevent problems in the future."

Responses to the survey thus far show:

53.3 percent want the town to continue using the reserves to reduce taxes in the coming years;
16.7 percent said they want the board to use the money for a project that would benefit the entire town;
13.3 percent said save it for a rainy day;
10 percent also said built a salt barn for the town highway faciulity to prevent runoff into the Sangerfield River;
6.7 percent said use it to move the town hall into a different facility and free up its current space for new retail in downtown Hamilton.

In a separate question, 82.8 percent of those who responded agreed with the acion taken last Thursday by the board to use a total of $100,000 to lower taxes in the 2011 budget.

Thus far, comments have included:

"They should have used more - not asking for the money back - BUT - there should be at least a one year amnesty in which we pay no tax. Use some of that money you already have and leave our wallets alone this year."

"I think it should be used for more than one reason. Use some to help reduce taxes, but also save some for "a rainy day". I don't believe relocating town offices would be good. It is helpful to everyone to have it so centrally located. It seems like it's hard enough to fill empty storefronts to begin with so I don't think adding another empty one would be the best thing to do, especially on the main road going through town."

"I was on the Town Board from 1991 to 1995. All I heard about when we had a surplus was that we might have to build a salt shed someday. I find it hard to believe that it still has not been built and probably was used as an excuse for maintaining a fund balance for all these years. The Town office should definitely be moved. We have talked around it for years. It is time to open up a store front that will attract more people to downtown. As to Mr. Darby's suggestion about cutting spending, that always sounds good but I am not sure if there really is any area where spending can be cut as the Town does little or nothing for its residents besides maintaining the roads (I believe they do a fine job).

"The money should be used to begin consolidation efforts of the municipalities within the Town including Administration, Highway, Fire, Ambulance, Water and Power. I agree with the prudence of creating the reserve to reduce dependence on borrowing or bonds in the event of a "rainy day", but the rainy day is here and the money should be used to invest in the future of the town to control everyone's future tax liability."

"Invest more in education. Find out how to improve education instead of stripping HCS of programs and consolidating with Morrisville, Madison, and Stockbridge."

"Why hasn't a new office location been looked at before? Now the state is in dire straits for funding and passing out fewer $ all the way around. Like we would ever get any $ to build a new building. Look at the VOH (Village of Hamilton) and their new security substation for funding. It can't be done!!!! Why didn't the previous supervisor use some of this money for lowering taxes or into a contingency fund for highway equipment purchase? More importantly, why was our town set up as such a bad example of poor leadership? It was our money paid into the system, and now we are getting some of it back"

"All (Supervisor Bob) Kuiper is doing is putting of the tax increase that will happen next year and the year after so that he looks better or the election next year.

"Should also do # 4 and #2 save some for a rainy day. This was the time and only time that taxes should be reduced. The Village has been unfairly taxed in the past and next year the Town residents must own up and shoulder their proper burden. The economics and politics of today justify the expenditure, but not any more."

"I think the previous town supervisor and the board had the best of intentions and were proud that they could say that they were not in the red. How many government bodies can say that? Not many! It would be reckless to use all of the money to continue to reduce taxes in the coming years. I think it was good that they could show some good faith in reducing this years increase. No one knows what future financial misfortunes or stresses are going to exist, so a good portion of that surplus should be saved for when the time comes and the increase in taxes is more than outrageous."

"Modernize the office staff with more computer knowledge and equipment. Fire the Town Clerk and get someone to run it in today's times and make the reports to the state on a timely basis. The lack of reporting to the state is the Town Clerk's job, she was elected to do that, not the former supervisor."

"Of the Million in balance: $500,000 retain for capital reserves ( rainy day) $250 relocate Town office -- will not only free up valuable retail space, but will allow the town's money to go into equity as opposed to rent. The old Jerry's Gulf (rt 12-b) wold be an ideal location as it is currently an eye sore as the gateway to our community. $250 to cover salt as it is an environmental liability that must be addressed. The $100,000 needs to be a one time only contribution. Councilman Darby's point that expenses must be addressed is well taken. For example , at the town meeting it was stated that 2 code enforcement officers are currently being utilized. Maybe savings could be realized by sharing this service."

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Comments(1):

Misunderstanding of Town Clerk position

Tuesday, December 21, 2010 Wanda Warren

It is important that citizens realize that the Town Clerk is an elected position. She cannot be fired. Neither, strictly speaking, is she under the authority of the Supervisor or the Board. The problems with the financial records over the years were the responsibility of the former supervisor and the bookkeeper that he appointed and re-appointed. By law, the bookkeeper cannot be the same person as the Clerk. However, the Clerk does have responsibility for publishing the annual reports from the supervisor, so has some responsibility for the public not knowing about the missing reports until the State Controller's Office investigated. Voters bear the final responsibility for the state of the Town Office and its lack of modernization since they elected and re-elected the Supervisor and the Clerk for many terms. Anyone can Google "NY Town Law" and find a Manual to search to learn about these matters. Wanda Warren Berry

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