To Cut or Not to Cut the Southeast Budget?

Angered by Supervisor Michael Rights’s $12.4 million budget proposal that slashes services and calls for lay-offs of town employees, three members of the Southeast Town Board have submitted their own budget that is being called more responsible and realistic.

Councilmen Roger Gross, Richard Honeck, and Paul Johnson outlined their fiscal spending plan at a news conference last Thursday outside Southeast Town Hall.

Despite Rights’s plan, which cuts taxes by one percent but results in the elimination of five full-time positions in the town’s tax collection department as well as Southeast’s zoning code enforcement officer, slashes in aid to the Brewster Library, Putnam Humane Society, veterans’ organizations, and the Southeast Museum, the trio criticized the supervisor for being unrealistic.

Rights made the proposed cuts because, he said, “as a result of the recession economy, Southeast faces municipal losses in excess of $600,000. No more business as usual since under these circumstances; a credible tax cut comprises a Herculean achievement.”

The supervisor has also called for the sale of the town’s municipal fleet of vehicles, except for highway department trucks. “Such action would raise capital and will also save our taxpayers the cost of vehicle maintenance and insurance,” said Rights.

The three councilmen have restored the tax collection department in Southeast because, as Gross put it, “The town also collects taxes on behalf of the three school districts serving our community. The elimination of this department was an irresponsible, politically motivated move on the part of the supervisor.”

The trio has also restored the position of tax assessor. Honeck said the department was reinstated because “residents must be assured of quality tax assessments while having access to needed information.”

Under the councilmen’s budget, funding was restored to 2009 levels for the Southeast Museum, Brewster Library, veterans’ groups, and the Putnam Humane Society. The board members also kept the town’s two code enforcement officers as well as providing a $5,000 stipend for the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps, which serves residents in the Starr Ridge and Dingle Ridge areas of town, both located near the Westchester County line.

Councilman Johnson blasted the supervisor over his suggestion to sell all town-owned vehicles: “Employees being required to use their own vehicles for town business is irresponsible. Many employees must enter rugged work sites and carry messy materials, placing personal vehicles at risk. The burden of having employees add commercial insurance coverage that would not be compensated by the town is also a significant flaw. Maintaining town vehicles is the responsible and costeffective policy for taxpayers.”

The councilmen’s budget proposal also contains $40,000 for contingency that will cover emergencies next year, should they arise.

Councilman Honeck said, “At the end of the day, this budget will result in a 4.5 percent tax increase, or about $23 a year for the average homeowner. The increase will be offset by a $12 saving residents will be receiving next year derived from the Town Board awarding a new garbage contract for 2010. The bottom line: for $11 residents will be receiving a responsible budget and not one created for political impact.”

Rights said, “In this recession economy, folks are hurting. Southeast taxpayers need relief.”

The Town Board continues to discuss the budget at its Thursday evening meeting.