In preparation for the budget hearing April 8, Massapequa Park Village Mayor James Altadonna took some time at the recent Installation -Organization meeting to disclose some vital information about the 2002 budget, including the fact that there will be no tax increase for the upcoming year.

"With financial accountability as the highest priority, I have worked hard to manage a budget that balances fairly the needs of our prospering village, with the objective of living within our means," Altadonna said.

Economic aftershocks from the recent World Trade Center tragedy, coupled with the anticipated tax increase from the county, contributed to the decision to dip into the village's "rainy day fund," a surplus of $1.3 million, to hold the line on taxes. "We feel that with the economy the way it is, the looming tax increase from the county, and much uncertainty at the state level, that this would be an appropriate time to give our residents some relief," Altadonna explained. Approximately $600,000 from that surplus will be applied toward next year's budget, leaving an approximate $700,000 surplus, or about 16.5 percent of the budget.

Altadonna also disclosed that from this year to last, expenses have increased by approximately $181,000, with rising insurance costs accounting for about $90,000 of the increase, and salary increases due to contractual obligations accounting for the rest. "Although the village has been at a fixed insurance rate for the past three years, since Sept. 11, and due to troubles in the insurance industry in general, the rates for everyone are going through the roof," said Village Administrator Bill Colfer.

Altadonna stressed the necessity to strike a balance between accomplishing projects on residents' "wish lists," versus the cost to the residents. "My biggest fear," Altadonna said, "is that we could have the most beautiful village in the county, but no one could afford to live in it." Still, he assured residents that beautification efforts throughout the village would continue, with emphasis placed on the business districts on Merrick Rd. and Park Blvd.

There is a projected budget surplus of $1.3 million for the end of this year, which Altadonna called, "a healthy amount" that would allow for the village to continue to accommodate critical expenditures such as road programs and traffic safety programs. "We will continue to ask for help from our state, and the county, both who have been very responsive to our needs in the past," he said.