OCTOBER 5, 2009

Tentative Budget meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Chester was held October 5, 2009 at 7:30pm in the Town of Chester Municipal Center, Chestertown, NY.

Roll Call: Frederick H Monroe, Mike Packer, Edna Wells, Karen DuRose and Steve Durkish. Gary Clark - Highway superintendent and John West Parks department.

2010 Tentative Budget review:

The projected combined tax rate for General and Highway Fund for the 2010 Tentative Budget is $1.193 per thousand. $.417 per thousand for General Fund and $.776 per thousand for Highway.

Board reviewed the budget notes and had brief discussions various issues:

1. North Warren Emergency Squad (audit has not been received yet)

2. Dynamite Hut in regards to setting a charge for use of the building - or perhaps request funds from Horicon to help towards the operation expenses

3. decrease in revenues on sales tax and mortgage tax

4. State aid on Star program has been taken back - no funding

5. increase cost on retirement and health insurance.

Discussion on trying to rebuild the surplus a little bit each year.

Supervisor Monroe said that this surplus helps with cash flow at the end of the year.

Councilperson Wells felt that the public should be made aware of what “Occupancy tax / bed tax” money is and that it does not come from property taxes.

Supervisor Monroe will talk to Betty Little in regards to the high health insurance rates that the small towns are facing and see if the legislature can do anything to allow a “pooling together of the towns in Warren County”. In the past this was said it couldn’t be done.

Discussion on animal control officer and perhaps is time to consider someone from the Town of Chester.

Close watch on the CHIPS program, if a cut should happen, town projects would need to be reduced.

General Fund Revenues:

2210.3 Horicon - reimburse ½ meal site worker $3,000

Highway expenses:

Discussion on grader replacement. Current equipment is about 25 years old. Cost of new grader is approximately $190,000.

Supervisor Monroe felt that the board consider doing a bond for a new grader instead of raising the taxes for the purchase.

Reviewed the water district budgets.

Reviewed Loon Lake Park District budget. Discussion on the milfoil problem. Supervisor Monroe will work with Rob Freligh on this.

Money in capital project fund for building - energy audit is to be done.

Any further discussion will be done at the next regular town board meeting, at which time date for public hearing will need to be set.

Motion by Mr.Monroe meeting was adjourned at 8:45pm.

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Town Clerk

Tentative Budget meeting October 5, 2009 page