By Angela Marshall
Village taxes will go up 5.91 percent during the June 2003 to May 2004 fiscal year. The newly approved budget, $27,676,799, is an increase of $2,337,606 from last fiscal year's budget of $25,339,193.
The increase raises the tax rate $1.36 to $24.36 per $100 of assessed valuation. The average homeowner, with an assessed value of $7,700, will pay an extra $105 in village taxes, up to $1,875.72. The village is not using the new Nassau County assessments to compute taxes for the 2003-04 fiscal year.
The board and village administration have blamed more than half of the jump on retirement and health-insurance increases. "We've kept the increase to a minimum," said Deputy Mayor Wayne Lipton.
Trustee Jack Matthews expressed frustration that, once again, the residents who complain about the taxes they pay during the year didn't bother to come to the budget hearing last month. Only two or three residents spoke at the hearing.
Capital bonds were approved for road resurfacing and repairs and a ladder truck was OKed for the Rockville Centre Fire Department. The road work, estimated to cost $1.2 million, is part of an ongoing project to repair village streets. The ladder truck will cost $900,000.
Lipton said he was glad the village is finally purchasing the truck. Calling the Fire Department "strong and vital," he said it is necessary to supply the "best equipment we can."
The board also approved three architectural review cases Monday night, including the nine-home subdivision planned for Lincoln Avenue. All nine homes are side- or center-hall colonials, but each has a unique exterior. They are being marketed at $850,000 and up. "They're not all sold, but they are selling," said developer Richard Geyer, who thanked the Building Department, Planning Board and neighbors of the project for their help during the approval process.
During his time to speak, Mayor Eugene Murray updated the public on the RVC North Park complex on Peninsula Boulevard. "Contrary to concerns that I continue to hear, there are no problems with the sod or the drainage systems, which have been installed and inspected according to specification under the direct supervision of village engineers and of Cameron Engineering," Murray said.
He explained that the harsh winter and frequent rains have not allowed the sod to knit, which is necessary before it can be used for sports. "We look forward to these warm, spring days to replace the very harsh winter we just had and the almost continuous rainfall that came before it so that the grass up there can take root and flourish," the mayor said.
