Supervisor's E-Newsletter, November 2016

Happy holiday season to all. I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving. During November, the Town Board actively reviewed the 2017 Tentative Budget in meetings that were open to the public. The Preliminary Budget, which is a product of the Tentative Budget, presents a 1.8% increase in the day-to-day contractual expenses for the Town. However, the total tax increase is 4.8% primarily due to debt payments for recent borrowing for infrastructure improvements and State-mandated increases for employee benefits. The sewer pipes, roads, Town buildings, and drinking water infrastructure are old and need repair and improvements. We intend to maintain the high level of services provided to residents. The 4.8% tax rate increase translates into a $305 tax increase for the average homeowner in the unincorporated section of the Town of Mamaroneck. This corresponds with a 2% decrease in Town taxes for residents of the Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck, which equates to a $12 decrease. The increase this year for the unincorporated residents versus the decrease for Village residents is due to the fact that the majority of the infrastructure lies within the Unincorporated area. Also, the largest portion of our employee benefits expense is in the unincorporated budget. The final adoption of the 2017 Preliminary Town Budget will be later in December. The budget and a detailed explanation are available for review on our website at www.townofmamaroneckny.org.

Nancy Seligson with Congressman Eliot Engel and US EPA Regional Director, Judith Enck at Mamaroneck Town Center

Sustainability News

As a leader and partner in environmental initiatives, the Town was chosen to host two press events in November.

Hommocks Conservation Area -- Clean Water Infrastructure press event with NY State Assemblyman Steve Otis and business, union and environmental leaders

The first press event was to announce the grant awards for the Long Island Sound Futures Fund, of which the Town was an awardee in 2015. Congressman Eliot Engel and US EPA Regional Director Judith Enck were among the many participants. The second event was a gathering of municipal officials, state legislators, business, and environmental leaders and union representatives. The purpose of which was to draw attention to the critical funding needed for Clean Water Infrastructure projects in our Town, region and State. Repairing and improving wastewater and drinking water facilities is an enormous expense for municipalities. Aging infrastructure is a crisis throughout the country. These projects cannot be fully funded by municipalities on their own. The projects ensure that wastewater is properly treated and managed in order to protect our streams, rivers and Long Island Sound as well as safeguard our drinking water.

Members of Town Board with Veterans at American Legion, Mamaroneck

Veterans Day News

Thank you to the veterans in our community for their service to our country and continued service to our community. Veterans Day ceremonies were held at the Vietnam Showcase in Mamaroneck High School, the American Legion Post 90, the American Legion Post 347, the VFW Post 1156, and in the Larchmont Village Center for the Kemper Memorial Park Preservation Fund.

Dates You Should Know

December Town Board Meetings:
Wednesday December 7, 2016 and Wednesday December 21, 2016
Work Sessions begin at 5:00 pm in Conference Room A, Regular Sessions begin at 8:00 pm in Court Room

The Town of Mamaroneck is committed to fostering welcoming communities and an equitable, diverse and inclusive society.