Snow removal is making a dent in village budgets. Raz Tafuro, Muttontown Highway Commissioner said at the March 10 board meeting, that before the last snowstorm the village had spent $153,000 on snow removal, sanding and salting. At that point they had overspent the budget line by $85,000. That will be reduced by the village's snow insurance policy which costs $4,000 and the village should get between $6,000 and $10,000 back. The fee last year was $2,000. The cost is based on predictions of how snowy the year will be, said Village Clerk Vivian Van Wagner.

Mayor Richard Murcott said the village finances are doing well. So far, the spending is $104,000 less than estimated in the budget.

Mayor Murcott showed the board a diagram of a stormwater runoff plan for the village prepared by Sidney Bowne, the village engineer. He said every village had to have one prepared by March 5. The work cost the village $5,000.

Trustee Ed Henn reported on the Police Commission. He said the Old Brookville Police had to pay a half a million dollars to the state pension fund. Previously the fund had money in interest bearing accounts that needed no replenishment. Now because of the general economy and the state's financial situation they need help, he said.

Mr. Henn said summonses are up 37 percent from 2002 figures. They have given out 5,000 tickets and arrests are up 13 percent. Training is up 33 percent, "all at no cost to the taxpayers. They use grant money to pay for the training. We do a good job," said Mr. Henn. "The Old Brookville Police are updating their Homeland Security Plan in case of an emergency. They are listing the schools, churches and fire districts that may come under attack."

As board member Richard Entel reported on the fire department, Kathleen Kleinman, president of the Muttontown Horsemen's Association, urged the fire and police departments to take part in a free training seminar on May 4, aimed at learning how to handle panicked animals in the case of a barn fire or traffic accidents. She said they can handle 20 to 25 officers. Mr. Entel said the fire company told him they would attend.

Mr. Entel said the East Norwich Volunteer Fire Department is currently installing GPS information and maps on locations in the area to make it easier to dispatch fire trucks where needed.

Mr. Tafuro reported that he has been busy fixing streetlights and filling potholes. He uses a cold patch in the winter and in the summer goes back and puts in a hot patch. He said KeySpan is trimming trees and is taking down 27 trees, 21 of which are dead. They are planting overhead wire-friendly trees.

While the Muttontown sign program has gotten favorable results, several have been vandalized and stolen. Some have been snapped off and some unscrewed, said Mr. Tafuro.

He also requested that residents help with village snow removal. He asked that they see that those hired to remove the snow don't push it into the road. "It freezes, stops the flow of water and becomes ice that can be 3 to 5 inches thick.

The mayor asked Mr. Tafuro to identify those houses that are pushing the snow into the street and the village will send them a letter. "They are paying twice, the person and the village for snow removal. We'll send a letter," said the mayor.

Ed Henn reported on the Planning Board. He said Kirby Hill's Environmental Impact Statement has been accepted although not approved as yet. They will hold a public hearing on the environmental statement as soon as it is approved.

At the next board meeting Peter MacKinnon will have a new law ready for the board to look at concerning a change in the height of a building in the village. There are several buildings in the Kirby Hill proposal where the pitch of the roof exceeds their maximum height regulations. The board has looked at similar buildings in East Hills that have used similar proportions and the mayor said they look all right. "Because there is enough distance between the houses it should look fine," he said. The new law will address only the Kirby Hill development.

Trustee William Floyd-Jones said there was a ZBA meeting scheduled for March 27 at 8 p.m. on a proposed Special Use Permit for the Martin Viette land. "They want to increase what they currently do," he said.

The last item discussed by the board involved setting fees for filing expenses and fees. The fees are supposed to cover the expenses incurred by the village as it studies the applications. Therefore at the April meeting they will discuss an increase in the fees for the ZBA.

Village Attorney Peter MacKinnon reported on two other village issues. He said AT&T reneged on their application to put a cell tower on village property.

Mr. MacKinnon said the proposed parkland exchange is in the SEQR process and the village should have an appraisal of the land by the next meeting. "It is to ensure that we are not trading a Jaguar or Cadillac for a Volkswagen," quipped the mayor.

The next village board meeting is scheduled for April 14.