Starkey approves budget, fire contract

STARKEY—Starkey town board met Thursday, Nov. 4. The meeting was preceded by two public hearings, one for the  2011 town budget and the second for the 2011 fire contract.
The board approved the 2011 budget in the amount $910,505. The current budget is $895,039. The major reasons for the increase are a 36 percent increase in the contribution to the state retirement program and a 12 percent increase in health insurance premiums. The fire contract remains the same at $164,216.
In other business: The board reviewed the final draft of zoning regulations. Slope regulations and lot coverage were parts of the proposed regulations addressed during the discussion.
• Town Clerk Sue Crans told the board the town had received a letter from the Humane Society of Yates County requesting funds. Crans said the organization would like the town to increase their charge for dog licenses and send the amount of the increase to the humane society. The request noted the increase would help the humane society in their work in controlling the dog population. New York State has changed the procedure for licensing dogs. The town will wait a year to see how the new process works before  making a decision on the humane society’s request.
• Andrea Haradon and Betsy Hull spoke to the board about Community Development Block Grants. Haradon is in charge of the SA2Y Grant Project. Every spring municipalities have the opportunity to apply for grants.  The program is targeted to low to moderate income residents. At least 51 percent of residents within the area must be low to moderate income. Health Improvement Project Coordinator Lauren Snyder said it might be helpful to learn more about the grants.
Funds for the federal program come to municipalities through New York State. The board was informed the town has a good chance of receiving funds.
The next meeting of the Starkey town board will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9 in the town hall on Seneca Street in Dundee.