SILVER CREEK - A blustery Monday night blew few audience members to the public hearing for overriding the tax cap at the Silver Creek Village Board meeting.
With no objections from the public, the board unanimously passed the local law to protect itself from repercussions of exceeding the tax levy cap.
"With regard to the 2 percent tax cap levy, the board has passed the local resolution only as an intent to protect ourselves. We are going to start our budget process early and we are working to stay within the cap," Mayor Kurt Lindstrom said.
Lindstrom reminded the board and the public that the override is only good for one year, but if it is not adopted the board would be penalized by having the excess put into a reserve for the next year.
"We will protect the village in the event of an accident or a mistake that carries us into exceeding a 2 percent tax cap. The local law will be voted on annually and must be voted on before the budget is adopted. If the board did not pass the local law and we exceed the cap, then we would be fined, as well as the amount we were off would be off put in reserve, and the reserve would count both against this year's cap and next year's cap," he explained.
Trustee Andrew Volk wanted to assure residents it is the consensus of the board members to stay within the cap, but the action taken protects the village from penalty in case of an unforeseeable event like a flood, or a calculation error.
"I don't think it's a good idea (to go over the cap). The town (of Hanover) was able to stay within the cap, the town of Pomfret did and the county did," Volk said.
In other business:
Water Superintendent Herm Griewisch received a merit award for outstanding service as lead operator. He was nominated by Lindstrom.
The school district and town of Hanover have yet to approve the tax exempt status of the highway building. The board planned to follow up on the issue at upcoming meetings.
With assistance from the county, the highway department was able to dredge the sand bar from the end of hideaway bay and distribute it along the beach. Lindstrom thanked Julius Leone, George Spanos and Ken France as well as Disaster Coordinator Rich Bartlett and Streets Supervisor Ralph Crawford for their help.
Crawford told the board he has reported the railroad companies to the DEC for cutting trees above the arches off of Jackson Street which caused the debris to fall into the creek.
The board and department heads thanked all who helped and participated in this year's Polar Bear Swim.
Fire Chief Rich Bartlett asked residents to keep fire hydrants clear of snow and to keep entrances into homes clear in case of emergency.
The board will meet again on Feb. 6.
