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Philipstown Budget Workshops Continue
by Mike Turton
Like the pieces of a giant jigsaw puzzle, the elements of the Philipstown 2008 budget are slowly falling into place. But it isn't a simple puzzle.
Throughout October, the Philipstown Town Board has held workshops to review initial drafts, project lists and costs submitted by department heads. At times figures submitted bear little resemblance to reality and must be pared drastically before becoming part of the final budget. The latest round of workshops was held last week on Tuesday October 23 and Wednesday October 25, 2007 to deal with budget requests from Highways and Parks and Recreation respectively. The two departments offer an interesting comparison in styles - and budgets.
One of the biggest challenges facing the Town Board is the budget for maintaining and improving the Town's network of roads. While there were chuckles around the table after a review of Highway Superintendent Roger Chirico's preliminary "wish list" for his share of the 2008 budget, there was no laughter as council members began discussing what can and cannot be done next year. Chirico outlined a long list of road works which, if completed, would cost the Town more than 1.1 million dollars. Add to that proposed new equipment purchases of $185,000 including two new trucks. In 2007 Chirico's budget request of $800,000 was whittled down to just under $300,000. But the real challenge does not lie in removing unneeded road projects. Council member Richard Shea summed up the Board's dilemma when he said "Everything in the (Highway Department) budget is legitimate - we just can't do it all. What are the priorities? " Chirico and the Board must choose from major works being considered for East Mountain Road South, Lake Surprise Road, Moffat Road, Old Albany Post Road, Indian Brook Road and Philipsebrook Road among others. To put it into perspective, the cost of two new culverts for Philipsebrook Road alone is estimated at $300,000. While the annual cost of the two new trucks can be reduced considerably by leasing rather than outright purchase, decisions regarding what road work gets done in 20008 and what has to wait another year will be much more difficult.
Philipstown Recreation Department Supervisor Amber Stickle, on the other hand, presented the Town Board with a much different scenario - a small reduction in the proposed budget. The $950,327 preliminary budget represents a 5% reduction from 2007. In at least one area the Board may actually look at increasing funding for the department. Council member Richard Shea suggested that Stickle consider additional funding for senior citizens' programs, indicating that that group too often "gets the short shrift." Purchase of a used bus is also being considered as part of the budget. Stickle feels that approach will be more cost effective than renting vehicles for transporting program participants. She also suggested that the department no longer be responsible for maintenance of the Town Hall and the VFW Hall, indicating that those projects take staff away from higher priority tasks at Philipstown Park and the Community Recreation Center. Parks and Recreation user fees are second only to the NYS Mortgage Tax in non-tax revenues raised for the Town. Projected 2008 revenues from Parks and Recreation are estimated at just under $524,000.
The 2008 New York State Mortgage Tax will present a challenge to the final 2008 budget. With housing construction off significantly, revenue from that fund is projected to drop from $900,000 in 2007 to approximately $700,000 next year.
At a Workshop held earlier in October, Supervisor Bill Mazucca indicated that he would like to see the 2008 budget include costs associated with having a Putnam County Sheriff's deputy assigned specifically to Philipstown, in particular to deal with problems caused by early morning truck traffic coming off Bear Mountain Bridge onto Route 9D. Mazucca indicated that the expense to the Town would be for wages only and would not include overhead such as the patrol car, insurance etc. He also stated that while a full time assignment would be too costly, a shift of about four hours per day, five days a week would be very beneficial and would cost in the range of $40,000 to $45,000 per year.
The Town is also considering hiring an in-house engineer to handle storm water management, environmental and related issues - although no budget figure has yet been proposed. Based on discussions to date, it is unlikely the Town would hire a full time engineer. Rather, engineering firms offer staff on as-needed basis, with an engineer working at the Town offices only when projects require that expertise.
Wages for Town employees have not been dealt with in budget workshops held to date. No increase is budgeted for salaries paid to the Town supervisor or council members. The budget process continues at workshops to held this week.
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