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Town of Barton approves 2010 budget
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share thisBy C.J. Marshall
The Town Council of Barton, N.Y. approved an operations budget on Monday of $602,400 for 2010.
The board voted unanimously to approve the budget, which according to Deputy Supervisor Shirley Lopreste, includes no increase in local taxes. Taxes will remain at $1.19978 per $1,000 of assessed property value in Barton, Lopreste explained. The budget will be placed on public view and will be submitted to Tioga County.
Before the budget was passed, Raymond Richards of Barton, who spoke during the public comments section of the meeting, referred to it as "financial sleight of hand," on the board's part. Richards accused council members of not being familiar enough with the budget, and moving money and expenses around in inappropriate ways.
"This is definitely not right," Richards said during the meeting.
Richards also charged that people in Barton outside of an area that was improved for water and sewer would be charged to help pay for the $55,000 borrowed to fund the project. However, Town Supervisor Leon Cary insisted during and after the meeting that only the people in the affected area would be required to pay for the project.
Cary encouraged Richards to sit down with the town bookkeeper who would explain the various financial aspects of the budget. Cary and Lopreste said during the meeting that all the income and expenses are where they should be in the town budget.
In addition, Richards also inquired about the council initiating litigation concerning the water and sewer project. Town Attorney Frank Como said that council is looking to hire an expert on the matter, but no decision has been made. Both during and after the meeting Cary and Como said they could not comment further on the subject because of the possibility of litigation.
In other business, council voted to keep open for a few more weeks an old gravel pit on Max Dixon Lane to allow residents to drop off leaves, old shrubs and other seasonal trash. Drop-off times will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.
Waverly Village Mayor Kyle McDuffee appeared before council to encourage closer ties between Waverly and Barton in areas such as equipment use and road work. McDuffee said such a practice will help both communities save money, which ultimately would save money for the taxpayers.
C.J. Marshall can be reached at (570) 265-1652; e-mail: cjmarshall@thedailyreview.com.
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