HAGUE TOWN BOARD MEETING

PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2011 PRELIMINARY BUDGET

NOVEMBER 1, 2010

6:00 PM

Members present:        Supervisor Belden                   E. Frasier

                                    R. Meola                                 M. Martucci

                                    R. Gladu

Also present:               Cathy Clark, ZEO

                                    Debbie Manning, Town Clerk

Supervisor Belden opened the meeting at 6:00 pm.

Motion by E. Frasier, seconded by R. Meola to open the public hearing on the 2011 preliminary budget.

The Town Clerk read the following notice that was published in the Post Star on October 26, 2010.

TOWN OF HAGUE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2011 PRELIMINARY BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF HAGUE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the preliminary budget for the Town of Hague for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2011, including general town funds, highway funds, fire protection, light & sewer district funds, with the Exemption Impact Report attached has been completed and filed in the office of the Town Clerk of the Town of Hague, 9793 Graphite Mountain Road, Hague, New York, where it is available for inspection by any interested person during regular office hours.

The Town Board of the Town of Hague shall hold a public hearing on said preliminary budget on the 1st day of November 2010 at 6:00 pm, showing such changes, alterations, and revisions as shall have been made therein by the Town Board of the Town of Hague.  At such hearing, any person may be heard in favor of or against the preliminary budget as compiled or for or against any items therein contained.

Supervisor:      $18,031.00

Highway Superintendent:  $38,246.00

Councilmen: (4 @ $6,284.00) = $25,136.00

Town Clerk:  $15,758.00

Justice:  $8,742.00

BY ORDER OF THE HAGUE TOWN BOARD

Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk

Published October 26, 2010

Questions were raised by Councilman Gladu on the amount of money used in the unexpended balance to keep the tax rate for the Town of Hague at $0.00 dollars.  Eventually this will catch up to us.  It is very difficult to see and review these figures by looking at the budget.  People should be made aware of this.  Supervisor Belden will have the Budget Secretary gather information on this and also mentioned that it is easier seen in the annual report.

Judy Stock, Editor of the Hague Chronicle addressed the Board on the change of the public hearing date.  It is not fair to the people to publish one date and then the Board changes the date after publication of the Chronicle.  The Supervisor explained that due to the notice not being able to be published in time and weeks of training on the upgrade to the Supervisors/Budget Secretary software.  The preliminary budget was printed late.  The Town Clerk also explained that the public hearing is scheduled on the preliminary budget, not the tentative budget.  The Board should wait until the preliminary budget is finalized before scheduling a public hearing on this.

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier to close the public hearing at 6:20 pm and return to the open meeting.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

Motion by E. Frasier, seconded   by R. Meola to approve the 2011 Town Budget as presented.  AYES:  Supervisor Belden, E. Frasier, R. Meola, R. Gladu and M. Martucci.  Motion carried.

The Town Board discussed medical health insurance for the Town employees.  There has been a change to the policy again.  Supervisor Belden will get a hold of a representative from TD Insurance to explain the choices the employees have. 

Councilman Gladu asked if it was possible to work with other Towns and Health Insurance companies to try and combine Health Insurance together. This would reduce the rates for the premium and should get a better package for the employees. 

A meeting is scheduled for November 8, 2010 at 2:15 pm.

Motion by R. Meola, seconded by E. Frasier to adjourn meeting at 6:35 pm.  All voting yes.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah F. Manning, Town Clerk