Lynbrook, East Rockaway village boards OK budgets

Both the village boards in Lynbrook and East Rockaway have adopted their 2011-12 budgets on Monday night.

In Lynbrook, the $33.4 million spending plan passed unanimously. It calls for a 3.4 percent increase over the current year’s budget, and will maintain all services.

Because of 2.5 percent decrease in tax assessments, the tax rate will increase by 6.8 percent, said Village Administrator John Giordano. The rate went up from $15.23 to $16.27 per $100 of accessed value. Village taxes represent one-third of residents’ tax bills and Lynbrook has only reached 46 percent of the New York state maximum cap of how much a municipality can impose on the tax levy, officials noted.

Giordano explained that there was a little more than a one million dollar increase for state-mandated costs for pensions and Workers Compensation insurance. Salaries for clerical and highway departments, along with elected officials, were frozen. And with several streetscaping improvements, including those on Broadway, Sunrise Highway and Union and Scranton Avenues, the village received its highest bond rating ever. The village is finding ways to do “more with less,” saving $20,000 because of energy conservation improvements, for example, officials said, and have implemented inter-municipal agreements with the County for purchasing, and with Hewlett Harbor to share gasoline costs.

“I think the budget is sound for the quality of life we want to sustain in the village,” said Mayor Bill Hendrick. “We think it’s best to do more with less and watch every bit of expenditures we have to keep this [budget] down next year, keep our rating well, and our quality of life the way we want it.”

East Rockaway

In East Rockaway, there will be a 3.51 percent tax cut for residents and businesses. The estimated reduction in taxes for the average homeowner will be $94, and $539 for business owners.

The $8.5 million spending plan will maintain all services, and the village will save in several areas, including $276,000 in salaries, $233,000 in pension costs. “While a significant portion of the savings were possible due to a more leaner and reasonable salary structure, additional savings of over $300,000 were accomplished after a tireless review of all village expenses line by line,” said Mayor Francis Lenahan. “The necessary actions were taken to ensure that we can do more with less, without sacrificing the services provided to our residents.”

The village plans to reallocate capital funds to complete projects, including finishing the recreation center at the John Street complex. A 2010-11 road improvement program will begin in May. The repair of Salem Road is up first, followed by Alice Court and Althouse Avenue, between Rhame and First Avenues. The Department of Public Works plans to receive two new garbage trucks and paving equipment to fix the roads.

Also, three new parking fields will be added and the Village Hall basement will be refurbished to become a community center. And the Thixton Creek Road and drainage project will be completed. “The adoption of the 2011-12 budget is the first step to guarantee a fiscally responsible run village,” Lenahan added.