Arietta starts budget work

Arietta TB Oct 7 2019

Arietta starts budget work

By PETE KLEIN

PISECO—When the Arietta Town Board met on October 7, it took two steps to start work on the 2020 Town budget.

The first action was to open a Public hearing for the Town of Arietta Law #1 for 2019 to override New York State’s 2% tax cap for the 2020 town budget.

After holding the public hearing and without any objections made from the public, the hearing was closed, and the board passed the following resolution.

“WHEREAS Local Law No.1 of the year 2019 “A Local Law Overriding the Tax Levy Limit for the Town of Arietta 2020 and Authorizing the Adoption By Town of Arietta of a Budget for 2020 that Requires a Tax Levy that is Greater Than the Tax Levy Limit for the 2020 Fiscal Year”, and

“WHEREAS the intention of this local law is to comply with the requirements of General Municipal Law section 3-c (5) prior to adopting the 2020 Town of Arietta Budget, and

“WHEREAS it is clear that a responsible budget for 2020 will require a tax levy that is greater than the one calculated pursuant to applicable state Law, and

“WHEREAS the Town Board hereby overrides the tax levy limit for the Town of Arietta for 2020 and authorizes the Town of Arietta, to adopt a budget for 2020 that requires a tax levy that is greater than the tax levy limit calculated for 2020 pursuant to Section 3-c of the General Municipal law, and “THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED the Town of Arietta, Town Board after a Public Hearing held on October 07, 2020 will hereby approve and accept Local Law No. 1 of the year 2020 “Local Law Overriding the Tax Levy Limit for the Town of Arietta 2020 and Authorizing the Adoption By Town of Arietta of a Budget for 2020 that Requires a Tax Levy that is Greater Than the Tax Levy Limit for the 2020 Fiscal Year.”

PRELIMINARY BUDGET

The board accepted the Tentative Budget and then passed the following resolution.

“WHEREAS the Town Board, Town of Arietta has reviewed the 2020 Tentative Budget as submitted by the Arietta Town Supervisor in September 2019, and

“WHEREAS the Arietta Town Board after review of the Tentative Budget will carry these numbers over with any noted changes for the Preliminary Budget and will accept as the 2020 Preliminary Budget at the October 7, 2019 Town Board Meeting, and

“WHEREAS it is necessary to schedule a Public Hearing for the purpose of public comment on the proposed budget before adopting, and

“THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED The Town Board of Arietta accepts the 2020 Preliminary Budget and will hold a Public Hearing for the purpose of adopting the 2020 Budget.”

SEPTIC SYSTEM LAW

Supervisor Rick Wilt asked Mary Kiewicz, Chairperson of the Planning Board, to inform the board of the progress of the update to the town septic system regulations. She handed the board a copy of the Queensbury, NY, septic law and the septic committee’s draft. She said that Queensbury doesn’t do a town wide system inspection they do a property transfer system inspection. The inspections done by Queensbury personal costs $250 and takes about 1 ½ to 2 hours. They wrote in their law that the Town board acts as the board for variance in these cases, it doesn’t go to the Zoning board. It is like the Town board is acting kind of like the board of health. They make people put $2,000 in escrow if the inspection can’t be done due to weather or some other circumstance or other factors. The people will get the money back after the inspection is completed. The money is kept in escrow account with the Town board. The assessor sends the inspector of any deed changes so he can contact them and let them know what needs to be done. The sale of the property can’t be finalized until this inspection is completed and the system fixed if needed and the Town gives a letter stating the sale can be completed.

Wilt would like Hamilton County Soil & Water to do the inspections. He said there are some things that need to be changed to meet our Town’s issues so he will give the board a week to review and give him suggestions. After the week he will send the draft to the Town Attorney for him to review and write up the local law.

JAMES A. BRENNAN MEMORIAL HUMANE SOCIETY

The board passed the following resolution.

“WHEREAS the Town of Arietta Animal Control Officer, on various occasions, has a need to take stray, unclaimed dogs to a Humane Society, and

“WHEREAS in order to use this service when needed, it is necessary to enter into an agreement with an agency, and

“WHEREAS an annual Agreement for the James A. Brennan Memorial Humane Society has been reviewed by the Town of Arietta Town Board in the amount $500 to be paid out of #A3520.400 Animal Control Contractual Expense Account, and

“THEREFORE, LET IT BE RESOLVED the Arietta Town Board will give the Supervisor permission to sign the annual agreement for 2020 with James A. Brennan Memorial Humane Society.”

SNOWMOBILE TRAILS

Michael Knapp reported he is waiting on actual price of steel beams for the Piseco Lake Inlet snowmobile bridge, but the preliminary price is $8,400. Another issue is they have no way to set them so it looks like they will use the wood poles as they cost $1,200 apiece. He said they may be able to shore up the existing bridge for this winter and replace it next year.

WEBSITE & CHAMBER

Christy Wilt reported there were 410 people who attended the chambers beer and wine festival. She added the APA GIF form to the Town’s website. They are looking at not doing the triathlon in Arietta next year. They will be looking for another event to hold in its place.

LAKE/DAM/INVASIVES

Supervisor Wilt reported there is nothing new. He has a scheduled meeting with the engineer, Bill Parslow and himself to go over the placement of the fence.

HIGHWAY

Craig Small reported they just paving and waiting for the county’s shoulder machine.

SUPERVISOR

Rick Wilt reported they will start taking the boards out of the dam probably tomorrow.

Wilt reported that DEC wants the boat wash station back. He said he hasn’t sign off on that yet because it needs to be under the stipulation that if DEC’s program fails then it comes back to the Town.

Editor’s note: This story is based upon the minutes of Kenneth Parslow, Town Clerk.