Montour considers $39K budget increase

MONTOUR FALLS—A general fund budget increase of approximately $39,000 for the 2011-12 fiscal year was discussed Monday night, April 18, by village of Montour Falls trustees.
The trustees will hold a budget workshop April 25 to go over the numbers one more time before voting on a final budget for the next fiscal year.
The workshop announcement came during a brief public hearing on the proposed 2011-12 budget, part of the regular meeting of the group. Trustees held a closed-door budget workshop prior to opening the doors at 7 p.m. for the public meeting.
The proposed budget increases appropriations in the general fund from approximately $1,296,000 in the current fiscal year to $1,335,000. The amount of general fund monies required to come from taxes will be $459,850, up from $445,316 in the current budget, Mayor John King said.
Included in the $39,000 general fund increase is $30,000 to create a new village staff position - a part-time Superintendent of Public Works. The responsibilities of the new position are currently being handled by DPW Foreman Mike Hughey.
King said that the village has wanted for a year to hire a fulltime superintendent, but can’t afford it. Trustees voted Monday night to move ahead with a part-time hire instead.
Several members of the audience told trustees that they object to increasing the annual budget $30,000 to create a new position, in part because the job is being handled internally.
Other new items in the proposed budget include $1,500 for new lighting of Montour Falls, $10,000 to purchase a new mower, and $600 for “geese management.”
Copies of the proposed 2011-12 budget are available at the office of Clerk-Treasurer Suzanne Casselberry.
In other matters:  Trustees voted to allow slip holders in the Montour Marina to park empty trailers on the marina site near the Montour Falls Yacht Club. They also approved a motion to levy a $100 per season fee for the service. The trustees also approved parking a large boat on the south end of the yacht club dock and adding a 50-amp electrical service to get electrical power to it. The slip holder will pay for the adding of the new electrical service, trustees said. The vessel is too large for its current slip and is partially blocking the channel, King said.
Trustees also put $12,000 in the proposed 2011-12 budget for dock repairs, up from $8,000 in the current fiscal year.
• The trustees agreed to delay the appointment of a representative to the Schuyler County Planning Commission and an acting village justice. King said that it was likely he would have names to present to the trustees for consideration at the next regular meeting.