Town adopts 2019 budget

MILLBROOK — The town of Washington closed its public hearing on the 2019 municipal budget on Thursday, Nov. 15, and it passed unanimously.

 Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri addressed the 2019 budget in a newsletter to residents. In it, he reported that the Town Board had voted to override the tax cap due to several budget increases required before looking at local operations. Therefore, the allowable tax cap levy is $2,329,235 while the actual tax levy is $2,576,647, a difference of $247,412. The tax cap for 2019 is $43,990.

The fire contract with the village of Millbrook is being increased by $46,990. This includes paid rescue squad coverage for 13 hours per day seven days per week, an approved increase to the volunteer firefighters’ award program, and training for fire and rescue squad volunteers.

The workers’ compensation budget line is $36,000 as Dutchess County has raised fees by more than 110 percent. The town is currently looking into other vendors to ensure the best value for its money.

Debt Services is $22,000 as the town has a Bond Anticipation Note (BAN) for the Stanford Road Improvement Project due in August, 2019. The town is planning on a 10-year bond instead of a 15-year bond, and another increase will come in 2020 when a full year’s payment comes due. The final payment will be made in 2021 for purchase of the soccer field land and walking path.

The tax rate for 2019 for inside the village is .772, up from .55. The town outside the village in 2018 is 1.51, for 2019 it will be 1.81.

The tax rate for fire services (town only)  for 2018 is .36. For 2019, it’s .40.

The tax rate for the library is .16 in 2018, and remains .16 in 2019.

Salaries for all elected officials and town employees will be increased in 2019 at a rate of 3 percent.

The board noted that it must continue to maintain all facilities and infrastructures. It’s applied for grants and New York State programs whenever possible, including Consolidated Highway Improvements Funds (CHIPs) for highway road improvements and the purchase of highway road equipment. The 2019 budget seeks $250,000 for such projects, to be reimbursed by the state if the grant is approved.

As the fleet of highway vehicles are aging, an annual reserve fund of $60,000 has been created. 

The budget also called for a $50,000 investment in dedicated generators for the Town Hall and Highway Garage, and to improve the server system so there are no disruptions to service in an emergency.

The town has also applied for Community Development Block Grant funding to upgrade the restrooms, the parking and the bath house at the Town Park.

The Recreation Department is raising some of its fees; other means of accruing funds include issuing licenses for fishing and hunting and dog tags, as well as for building permits, solar energy permits, etc. 

The entire budget is on the town of Washington website, www.washingtonny.org.