UPDATE ON PROPOSED STATE BUDGET AND TAX CAP ON STATE LANDS

Where do we start…..the rich get richer, while the poor get poorer?  Many of Governor Patterson’s proposals to “trim” the huge NYS deficient are nothing more than a shell game of shifting the tax burden from the State level over to real property owners through the School, County and Local tax levels.  While the State mandates it’s programs, then reduces their reimbursements on these programs already administered and paid for by County, School and Local Government, who do you think is going to pay the price….you guessed it.  WE, the Taxpayers!!   Many of the proposed cuts, or their resulting impacts, were not well thought out.

Since the Governor threw out his proposals early, he anticipated a great deal of oppositions to many of the proposed cuts.  We have been aggressively lobbying him and our State representatives against some of his major proposed cuts that will impact all of us the most.  Our highways were facing a devastating hit through huge cuts to the CHIPS program; this funding has recently been re-instated to the 2008 levels.  We argued this one at a NYSAC conference in Albany recently.  Thank You, Governor for listening and doing the right thing by re-instating this funding.

The major issue that we have been facing in his proposed budget is the proposal to cap property tax payments on state-owned Forest Preserve Land at last year’s levels, regardless of tax levy increases.  In 2007, the state paid $173.3 million statewide in taxes on forestland.  Looking to save $8.5 million/year for the state, this proposal is outrageous as it would place a devastating and unequal tax shift burden to the County’s and Town’s with large amounts of state owned lands.  The largest concentration of Forest Preserve land is in the Adirondacks and Catskills regions, but the whole state will be affected.   Trying to break their 150-year-old practice of paying as private property owners is simply very poor public policy and grossly unfair to local governments.   If the state can’t pay their bills, then they need to stop purchasing more land.

On a positive note, Governor Patterson agreed to meet with a small group of representatives of numerous Adirondack groups.  On February 24^th, we personally met with him and other state representatives in Albany.   Facts, figures and impacts were presented to him.  He listened, and stated that with our documentation, we clearly proved our case.  1886 Legislation clearly showed that the state should pay as a private property owner, therefore not placing an unfair burden onto the private sector.   The Governor was fair and receptive; he gave us all the time we needed.   We are finishing off the week with a final lobbying effort directed at state leaders to sign on and sponsor the removal of the tax cap proposal from the budget.   I am optimistic that our leaders will take their public responsibility seriously enough to do the right thing by moving to reject this tax cap proposal.    Hoping for positive news from the Governor soon, Thank you again, Governor Patterson, for listening and taking the proper action.    If not, we’ll be back.

ZONING UPDATE

After interviewing several firms who responded to our RFP for reviewing and updating our old (1973) zoning ordinance, the Town has chosen and contracted with CLA/Riverstreet.   A zoning commission has been appointed comprising of representation from (2 each) the Town Board, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, members of the public and the Code Enforcement Officer.  Following the kick off meeting, the commission will meet monthly. 

The Fulton County Planning Board is also assisting the Town.  The meetings will be posted and the public is encouraged to attend and observe.  Public hearings will be held as we progress.

ST. MARYS PRIMARY CARE CENTER COMING SOON

On March 17^th, St. Mary’s Hospital officials announced that a new primary care facility, called Northville Family Health Center, will be opened in May.  The facility will be located in the former flower shop at 331 Bridge St.   Dr. Dean Detweiller, who lives in Fish House and currently works at St. Mary’s Hospital, will be the center’s primary care provider.  Dr. Dasher  plans to assist on a part-time basis.  We welcome this much-needed service to our community.

BATCHELLERVILLE BRIDGE

The bridge that we all use was built in 1929 and needs to be replaced before it fails and has to be closed.  Not only do numerous residents use this bridge on a daily basis to commute to work in the Saratoga and Capital Regions, we now will have a doctor, living in Fish House, who will soon have to cross the bridge daily to get to the new primary care center.  The bids for replacement were above available funding by $25 million dollars.  If this bridge were forced to close, it would be devastating to everyone in our entire region.  It would not only impact jobs, but would jeopardize emergency services, schools, tourism, highway maintenance and numerous other areas; forcing everyone to travel completely around the lake to reach their destinations.   Don’t wait until the bridge is closed to cry out.  We all need to help our neighboring Edinburg and Saratoga County officials by writing and calling our state representatives and urging them to secure Stimulus and other funding to proceed with the “shovel ready” bridge replacement project, before we all find ourselves “up the river without a paddle”.  If you need the addresses of our State Officials, Contact Jean Raymond (Edinburg Supervisor) or myself. 

COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT OFFICER

The town is seeking persons interested in assisting the Code Enforcement Officer with enforcement of the Town’s Property Maintenance Law.  Duties include inspections, record keeping, responding to complaints & issuing citations when necessary. This is a part time position on an “as needed” basis, hourly pay and mileage reimbursement.   Please send letters of interest and qualifications to Town of Northampton, PO Box 479, Northville, attention Linda Kemper, Supervisor.  We plan to interview and hire someone shortly to fill this vacancy.

 SACANDAGA PARK WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT UPDATE/ INCOME SURVEY

 We previously had reported that the Town was awarded $200,000 by the former Governor for the evaluation of the current system and replacement of sanitary sewer lines in the Sacandaga Park to correct inflow and infiltration issues with some of the 100-year-old lines.  We contracted with AES Northeast and now have the evaluation and recommendations for repair and replacement completed.  We are hopeful that we will also be eligible for a portion of the Stimulus funds allocated for sewer infrastructure.  As part of the requirements to apply for grants or other funding, we must conduct an income survey of the water and sewer districts.  We expect to have the short surveys ready to go out along with the regular water/sewer billings around April 1^st.  Since a large percentage of the surveys must be returned in order to qualify, we urge everyone within those districts to return them in the return envelopes provided with the surveys.  An out of state independent agency, RCAP Solutions is assisting us with the process and compiling the results.  The responses are kept strictly confidential and no one connected with this project or the town will know any of the individual responses.  

THE HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT HAS POSTED TOWN ROADS TO A   4-TON WEIGHT LIMIT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

NOTES:

Keep informed; our Town Board minutes are available on the web site. 

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS

-March 27^th,  Great Sacandaga Lake Advisory Council, Edinburg Town Hall 10:00 am 

-March 28^th, All you can eat Spaghetti Dinner at American Legion Hall, eat in or take out,               

          4 to 7 pm, proceeds to benefit Northville Parade Committee, $7/person

-March 29^th, Office for the Aging fundraiser: “Revisions” Barbershop Quartet 3:00 pm First  

          Presbyterian Church, Jonstown (across from library) Donation $10, seniors & students $5.

-March 30^th, Northville Civic Association 7:00 pm, Bradt Building

-April 3^rd  & 4^th,  NCS Drama Club “Disco Inferno” 7:00 pm at Northville School

-April 12^th, Town Planning Board 7:00 pm, Bradt Building 

-April 15th, Town Board Meeting 6:30 pm, Bradt Building

-April 25^th, Fulton County Clean up Day

-April 26^th, United Methodist Church Comedy Dinner

-April 27^th thru 29^th, Town Clerk will be attending a conference, Clerks office will be closed

-April 28^th, Northampton Zoning Commission 4:00 pm, Bradt Building