At its April 29 meeting, the board of trustees for the Village of Roslyn approved its 2008-09 budget.

Total spending comes to $4,403,688. The revenue increase is 4.83 percent, a number that Trustee Marshall Bernstein acknowledged was "slightly higher" than last year's total.

In presenting the budget for BOT approval, Bernstein said that the village was faced with both dwindling revenues and increased expenses. He pointed out that fire department expenses are set to increase by approximately $55,000 and sewer costs are expected to rise by $50,000. Bernstein added that the budget, in its final form, was "justifiable and fair," containing the "right mix" of spending and revenue priorities.

On the appropriations side, the $4,403,688 in spending represents a slight increase from last year's total of $4,360,526. In line with the overall budget, spending increases from most departments are modest ones. The Employee Benefit budget is $325,000, up from last year's $320,000. The Public Safety budget also sees a small increase, totaling $706,647, up from $651,778 in 2007-08. The Transportation budget is $492,009, compared to $474,881 as appropriated in last year's budget.

Some departments saw decreases in their allotted appropriations. The Government Support budget is $1,163,556, down from last year's $1,170,342 in spending. The Culture & Recreation budget is $1,550, as opposed from $2,800 in the 2007-08 document. The Debt Service segment of the budget is down slightly, from $911,275 in last year's budget to $909,726 in the 2008-09 budget.

On the revenue side, appropriations to be raised by property taxes amount to $2,791,483. Estimated revenues other than property taxes are $1,437,205. The appropriated fund balance is $175,000 and the total revenues and appropriated surplus amounts to $1,612,205.

Among the miscellaneous items in the revenue side of the budget, the village hopes to raise $158,514 through a Real Property Impact Fee, plus $100,000 in Meter collections, $295,191 in Street Openings, and $190,000 in Justice Court Fines.

In addition to approving the budget, the BOT, at the April 29 meeting, rejected an application by Verizon to place four 8' x 8' x 40' storage containers in the southeast corner of its parking lot, located on 55 Lumber Rd.

According to Marshall Bernstein, the proposal was unpopular among some of Verizon's neighbors. Mayor John Durkin said that the area, under the village's Master Plan, was zoned for more retail use and to "prevent unsightly looks," adding also that village ordinances do not provide for containers. Nolan Myerson referred to village code requirements while explaining why the application had to be denied.

BOT members also had a spirited debate with representatives from Grella Trust, a company that has construction ideas for land on 1420 Old Northern Blvd., the site of the former Mobil Station. BOT members pointed out the significance of the lot, noting that it stands on the opposite end of Old Northern Boulevard from the Roslyn Clock Tower and that any construction should be in harmony with the architectural and historic nature of the clock tower itself.

The next BOT meeting is Tuesday, May 20 at 8:00 p.m. at the village hall, located on 1200 Old Northern Blvd.