INTRODUCTION:
As we enter a new year, we do so with both pride and
confidence. The Town of Hague is financially sound and the outlook for the
future is bright. The Town continues to move forward while recognizing that significant challenges remain.
The natural beauty of Hague, coupled with its quiet rural
environment has made it a very desirable place to reside, visit and vacation,
as well as retire. Property values, of all types, have skyrocketed as a result
of the limited supply in this demand driven market.
This significant rise in property values, as supported by
recent sales, has resulted in Hague residents contributing an ever increasing
percentage of the Ticonderoga Central School District budget.
The Town Board has recognized this as one of the most
significant challenges it faces and is actively involved with our local,
county, state legislators and advocacy groups to challenge spending, to insure
equity in assessments within the Town and TCS District, to push for school
funding reform and to provide tax relief to our residents. We are lobbying our
state legislators to find alternatives to the property tax as the basis for
funding public education. We have shared your concerns over the school tax
issue with the TCS Board. We will continue to be involved in the school budget
process.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
In order to minimize the impact of tax increases upon our
residents, the Town Board has taken the following immediate steps.
- Warren County sales tax revenue remained strong in 2004.
The Town Board applied $ 500,000 of the revenue received from Warren County to reduce the impact of County tax. This resulted in a year-to-year
reduction from $3.94 / $1000 to $2.88 / $1000 of assessed value.
- The Town Board also applied $252,109 of local unallocated
fund balances to eliminate the Town tax for the upcoming year.
- As a result of these actions, the overall year-to-year tax levy
for County, Town, and Fire District has been reduced by 37% to $3.34/ $1000.
INFRASTRUCTURE:
- The transfer station was successfully turned over to
Casella Waste Management. This not only resulted in a more efficient
operation, but also provided the Town with yearly revenue of $ 8,400 versus a deficit of $7,000 in the
previous year.
- After some early startup problems, the Wastewater
Treatment Plant is operating well thanks to the commitment of Tim Costello
and Mike Fitzgerald. Operation costs for 2005 are expected to be $400 per
EDU, down from $475 during the previous year. The Town is currently investigating
the feasibility of extending the sewer along the 9N corridor.
- Bridge work on Route 8 and Route 9N South is complete as
well as new sidewalks on the northern side of Route 8 in the Hamlet. A
conduit has been put in place to allow the implementation of streetlights
consistent with our Streetscape plans. Work is underway to procure state
grants to aid in the full implementation of the plan.
- Two new parking lots have been added and are operational
in the hamlet.
DOWNTOWN ENHANCEMENTS:
- Several new businesses have emerged in the Hamlet over the
past year adding to the character of our downtown.
- Hague Creek has expanded into
the renovated “Hoyt” house.
- David and Carolyn Dunn have
remodeled and reopened the Locust Inn.
- Jim Reale
continues his work on the new Hague Motel.
- Lauren and
Ken Parlin have opened The Up Town Store, a
restaurant / coffee house, on the site of the previous taxidermy shop.
- Work continues by the Ginns on
the renovation of the old Hague Fire House.
- Mary Ellen Eaton has opened the
ice cream shop.
- Kathe and Rolly Allen have
remodeled the real estate / apartment complex.
- Lakeshore Garage has relocated
to West Hague Road creating space for additional business opportunity in the
downtown area.
ADMINISTRATION:
- The Town has updated and upgraded its computing base. New
software, systems, and high-speed cable network have been installed and
are online.
- The Town has established the Town website (www.townofhague.org) as a resource
for communication as well as a source for informational downloads.
- New financial accounting software has been authorized and
will be on line in the first quarter of 2005.
- Zoning and planning application forms have been revised
and can be downloaded from the Hague website.
- This year has been busy for our Planning and Zoning Boards
due to the increased demand resulting from property sales and remodeling
activity.
HAGUE PRIDE:
Throughout the year there have been many
activities which taken together define the character of Hague and the people
who live here. To mention just a few:
- Food Pantry: The
food pantry has expanded its hours of operation to every Thursday from
1:00 – 2:00pm. Generous donations have been received during the year from
various individuals, organizations, and groups throughout the Town.
Participation has increased however there is room for more people to be
accommodated .
- Meals on Wheels: Using a cadre of volunteers, the MOW
Team supplied hot meals to 7-10 residents, 5 days a week over the past year.
Meals are picked up in Ticonderoga and distributed locally each day.
- Seniors: The Hague Senior Citizens Club’s 2004
program encompassed three Community Programs – Memorial Day Parade / Fun
Fest, 55 – Alive Driver Safety Course & participation in Holiday in Hague. The Club also managed four Parade Fund Raisers along with an active
monthly agenda.
- The Hague Chamber of Commerce: The Hague Chamber
has promoted many local activities including the Annual Christmas party,
Winter Weekend, the Fourth of July fireworks, and Elvis Concert at the
Park. Bed tax funds, $30,000 worth, will be slated for new activities to
promote tourism in Hague. Work is underway by the Chamber, to update the
Chamber Website with the help the funds.
- The Clifton West Historical Museum: The Museum
Committee has actively been working on a building proposal for the Town.
Funding has been set aside and an architect retained for the first stages
of the design.
- Day Camp: Silver Bay, in partnership with the Town,
ran a successful 5-week day camp for 15 Hague youngsters during the summer
months. Discussions will continue into 2005 to capitalize upon this success
as well as explore additional partnership opportunities.
- Junk Law: Enforcement of the local junk law
continues. To date approximately 20 junk vehicles and other debris have
been removed, significantly improving the beauty of the area. Funding was
provides though Pride and an $11,000 County Grant.
The Town Board has supported these
key activities with significant funding over the past year.
CHALLENGES:
As we look forward into 2005, we are faced with several
significant challenges.
- Maintain our commitment to responsible fiscal management.
- Pursue solutions to the issues of escalating property
values and escalating taxes with emphasis on school funding reform
- Expand our sewer system, with the aid of matching grants,
to bring on new customers to improve overall efficiency of the plant and
further protect the Lake George.
- Secure matching grants to aid in the implementation of the
Downtown Enhancement Plan.
- Provide growth opportunities consistent with the
comprehensive plan.
- Develop an economic climate that will encourage our youth
to stay in Hague.
- Promote volunteerism and participation in our town boards,
school boards, committees, local organizations, service groups and the
Hague Volunteer Fire Department as well as community involvement in
addressing the significant challenges facing our Town.
- Strengthen our partnership with Ticonderoga.
OUTLOOK:
As we look forward to our Bicentennial in 2007 we
see a bright future. Your Town Board will strive to satisfy the needs of all
our residents. With your help, and encouragement we will continue the forward
momentum of growth of Hague consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and the
vision of
HAGUE … AN ADIRONDACK TOWN ON LAKE GEORGE.
Hague Town Board
Dan Belden, Supervisor
Dick Gladu, Councilman
Lu Megow, Councilman
Rudy Meola, Councilman
Bob Patchett, Councilman