Letter: Villages Should Adhere to the 2 Percent Tax Cap

Anton Community Newspapers • 132 East 2nd Street • Mineola, NY 11501 • Phone: 516-747-8282 • FAX: 516-742-5867

Letter: Villages Should Adhere to the 2 Percent Tax Cap

Friday, 10 February 2012 00:00

(Editor’s note: at the Jan. 26 Village of Manorhaven board meeting that is referenced in this letter, a public hearing was held to consider the adoption of Introductory Local Law A – 2012, “Tax Cap Override”).

On Jan. 26, I attended the Village of Manorhaven Board of Trustees meeting to express my concern about a proposed local law that would permit the village to exceed the state-mandated 2 percent tax cap for this year’s budget. Following is a summary of my comments made to the board.

I understand what the board is trying to accomplish with this local law. I recognize the village budget for the fiscal year beginning June 1 has not been formulated yet and that it won’t be adopted for several months. I know some budget costs are unpredictable and even volatile.

However, I do not agree with this local law.

Last year, our state representatives and the governor finally did something to try to control local property taxes – and it was the so-called “Tax Cap.” This new law requires that municipalities such as our village limit any increase in the property tax to 2 percent per year – not 2 percent forever or 2 percent just one time – but 2 percent for each year.

This seems to me to be fair, reasonable and practical.

If the village passes a local law that says, right off the bat, you don’t have to live within the 2 percent rule, then that’s just an invitation go above the state-mandated limit. I do not think it’s a good idea to go beyond the law in its very first year of existence. I am asking the board to give the 2 percent tax cap a chance. Please see if you can make the numbers work for this year’s budget and stay under the 2 percent. At the very least, you should try to follow the spirit of this new law.

Hard-working taxpayers deserve every break you can possibly give us. Respectfully, I urge you not to pass this local law at this time.

Jim Avena

News

School District Budget And Bond Vote, Election Results

Thursday, 17 May 2012 00:00

The results of the Port Washington School District budget and roof bond vote and election:

School Budget (Proposition No. 1)

Yes – 2,547
No – 895

Roof Bond (Proposition No. 2)

Yes – 2,397
No – 761

School Board Trustees: three individual terms commencing July 1, 2012 and expiring June 30, 2015.

Lawrence Greenstein – 2,173
Nora Johnson – 2,354
Vernon McDermott – 2,265

For Sale Signs Go Up On Pequot Avenue

Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00

Fallout from cell tower construction not a surprise

“For Sale” signs have recently gone up in front of three houses on Pequot Avenue in Manhasset Isle. Each of the homes is in close proximity to the cell tower that was recently erected, in spite of community objection and attempts by Manorhaven Village to open a dialogue with the developer, AG Towers.

Often during recent village board meetings, local residents voiced concerns about the possible health risks posed by the cell tower, and the esthetic blight of living in the shadow of a 250-foot monopole, which looms over the modest one and two family homes adjacent to the tower site.

Sports

On The Bay: May 16, 2012

Friday, 18 May 2012 00:00

The boatyards are busy places this time of year. And if you happen to stroll along the waterfront on the beautiful walkway in Port Washington North, you will see boats of all kinds populating Manhasset Bay. Warm weather sailing and racing is upon us. Bay racing on the weekends has already started and Thirsty Thursday evening racing will begin tonight. So boat owners are happy, their boats are happy doing what they do best, and landlubbers have the increases waterscape of beautiful sail coming and going out to Long Island Sound. And don’t forget the kayakers who love to explore the nooks and crannies of the bay. This is just the beginning of yet another great season.