Five Towns villages concerned about budget shortfalls

The Village of Hewlett Bay Park approved the override of the New York State 2 percent tax cap levy that would give the village a financial cushion in emergencies that are not covered in the budget and other villages in the Five Towns expect to discuss doing the same at future board meetings.

As the state’s imposed tax cap permits municipalities to only raise taxes by 2 percent, Hewlett Bay Park officials said approving the override at their Dec. 19 meeting will allow them to better absorb any financial obligations for unforeseen emergencies not covered by the adopted budget.

The Village of Hewlett Bay Park’s budget is $441,215 for the 2010-’11 fiscal year that includes a tax levy of $209,000.08. The proposed budget for 2011-’12 is $539,515 with a planned tax levy of $208,99.03.

Village of Hewlett Neck Mayor Stuart Troyetsky said the Board of Trustees approved the override of the 2 percent tax cap levy in November following two public hearings. “We run on a very tight budget and god forbid 100 village trees came down, that would be a big expense and we would fall short,” he said. “We can’t raise taxes so we would have to borrow money and this will allow us to pay off a loan quicker.”

Hewlett Neck’s current budget is $375,541 with a reported tax levy of $175,881.74. The proposed budget for 2011-’ is $290,000 with a planned tax levy of $219,825.

Money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was not available following an ice storm in March 2009 like it was for Hurricane Irene and the Dec. 26, 2011 snowstorm. The Village of Hewlett Neck had to pay for any damages that were sustained such as fallen trees, according to Troyetsky. “It was not a declared an emergency and even though we didn’t need a lot of money for the clean up at the time, we might need it (for another natural disaster),” he said.

Overriding the state’s tax cap levy has not been brought to the Board of Trustees yet in the Village of Lawrence, according to Village Administrator Dave Smollett. “It’s still early as this would be discussed when the budget is adopted,” he said. “We’ve still got a few months to go before the budget is adopted in April.” Lawrence’s current operating budget is $6,555,263.

Cedarhurst and Hewlett Harbor villages also plan to discuss a possible override of the state’s tax cap levy at their next board meetings. “I have no comment as it is something that will be discussed at a board meeting as a board in January,” Mayor Mark Weiss of Hewlett Harbor said.

Sal Evola, Cedarhurst village clerk treasurer, said he anticipates discussion regarding the 2 percent tax cap levy at the next board meeting on Jan. 9 at 8 p.m. at Village Hall at 200 Cedarhurst Ave. in Cedarhurst. The village’s current operating budget is $6,082,539.