At a recent meeting, the Village of Massapequa Park board of trustees approved a budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year.

The budget calls for $6,239,310 in total appropriations. The assessed valuation stands at $38,379,803. The tax rate will be 8.37 percent per assessed valuation.

In addition, the estimated revenues other than real estate taxes are $2,136,286. The estimated appropriated cash surplus is $890,634, while the balance of appropriations to be raised by tax levy stands at $3,212,390.

According to Mayor James Altadonna, the budget allows the village to maintain its current tax rate of 8.37 percent per $1,000 assessed value. The budget also represents a 4.6 percent increase in anticipated revenues from the previous fiscal year's budget. The balance of revenues to be raised by the tax levy is $3,212,390, an increase of $13,910 from last year due, the mayor said, to an increase in the tax levy.

In his budget message, Mayor Altadonna presented a short list of safety and beautification projects that the village plans for the coming year. Among them, are: special speed signs to be erected near Massapequa High School, renovations at Colleran Park, a refurbished basketball court at Brady Park, a "Massapequa Park" sign to be erected at the Long Island Rail Road underpass, defibrillators to be installed at the Brady Park Athletic field and at Mansfield Park, the continuation of the "Mommy and Me" program at the Community Center, and further road improvements, including repaving and adding additional brick crosswalks and installing handicapped ramps.

The mayor said the village will continue with its Beautification Program with summer plantings in the Village Square, in business districts, and in Memorial parkettes.

"I believe the...budget is well-planned and conservative while preserving the services, programs, and events for our residents," Mayor Altadonna concluded.