The Levittown Property Owners Association met on Nov. 14 with Vice President Andy Booth presiding in the absence of President Jim Morrow. Nassau County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman was the evening's guest speaker. This was the comptroller's second visit with the LPOA since his election to this office in 2001. He began by stating: "Five years ago Nassau County was financially on the verge of collapse. It was the worst-run county in America, with a $450 million deficit, its bonds reduced to junk status." The Nassau Interim Finance Agency (NIFA) was created to oversee the county's finances. "Nassau County's financial turnaround since 2002 has been historic," Comptroller Weitzman stated, after the "mismanagement of the previous decade had brought it to the brink of bankruptcy."

Weitzman pointed out that the county's financial situation is now much stronger than it was five years ago, "with regular surpluses and balanced budgets, and county taxes have not been raised in three years." Also, "its bonds have been upgraded 11 times in three years, a U.S. record." The achievement of Nassau County's reversal was due to "conservative budgeting and smart management, reducing the county payroll, getting the state to cap Medicaid costs, and reducing pension contributions," said Weitzman.

But when the speaker asked the audience what was their greatest complaint, the answer was unanimously "high local property taxes." Comptroller Weitzman gave five reasons for this: 1) school taxes, which represent about 60 percent of homeowner's tax burden, caused by inequities in state aid; 2) the cessation of growth and development due to maturation of the area, with little land left for development; 3) too much government or too many separate government taxing districts and agencies; 4) unfunded state mandates; and 5) costs of government.

Mr. Weitzman suggested we contact our representatives in Albany about the unfairness and discrimination against Nassau County in school aid and STAR rebates, because state aid pays Nassau only about 37 percent of school costs, with over 60 percent coming from local taxes, whereas in other areas it's more like 50-50. As for STAR exemption rebates, he said Nassau is also shortchanged compared to counties such as Westchester, whose residents receive over $200 more, and in some cases as much as $800 more.

According to Weitzman, much of the financial success of the present county government is due to better business management and auditing, consolidation of services and government, trimming excess overtime and benefit abuses, reducing waste, collecting unpaid tickets. But he emphasized that we must have moderation in taxes so that young people and seniors can afford to stay. He pointed out there is a shortage of affordable senior housing and that some business areas could be developed for this. He added that much of our problem is due to "a broken assessment system unchanged since 1932" but that taxes continue to go up because government spending continues to rise.

Weitzman concluded by saying "We each can make a difference by focusing on abuses and working together, try to moderate taxes so as to make living here affordable, let our legislators, school board members and local government know when abuses (such as illegal apartments) occur" and even gave a plug for "civic associations that work with and for us."

Weitzman advised that the period to challenge home assessments begins Jan. 1. He also noted that Nassau County offices can be reached at www.nassaucountyny.com, or 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501, or by calling 571-2677.

After Comptroller Weitzman left, many in the audience brought up the issue of group homes located in Levittown, in particular, one to be sited at 47 Hook Lane by AHRC (Association for the Help of Retarded Children) for four disabled adults. Concerned residents questioned the selection, stating they know of nine already located in the community.

The LPOA was notified in October, by the Public Relations manager of AHRC of five other sites in Levittown. The LPOA members wanted to know from our town and state representatives how the selection of sites is determined by implementation of law S.41.34-NYS Mental Hygiene Law, a.k.a. the "Padavan Law." The LPOA will contact elected officials who can provide us with information at a future meeting. Many felt Levittown was being unfairly sited; the homes are tax exempt, and many felt the burden of too many would have a negative impact on the community.

"A brief discussion on a hearing before the Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals for the next day (Nov. 15) was brought up. LPOA board members and adjacent homeowners to the subject residence would attend to contest the challenge to Levittown's Planned Residence District ("LPRD") zoning."

The final announcement was the reading of a letter from the 8th Precinct Commanding Officer, Deputy Inspector Michael P. Cronin, saying that he and Police Officer David Rysdyjk will speak at the December meeting on Sex Offender Registry information and other issues.

The next meeting of the LPOA will be on Dec. 12, in the Levittown Library at 7:30 p.m.