Budget discussion leans toward 1.5 percent increase in Village of Blasdell

A proposed 1.5 percent tax increase by Blasdell Mayor Michael Petrie would mean no “Family Fun Day” in 2012, while the salary of Clerk-Treasurer Janet Plarr remains in limbo after the board met to discuss the budget during a special meeting Saturday morning (Feb. 11).

“We looked at doing a zero percent increase,” Petrie said, who noted the areas which would be cut in a budget with no tax hike would have a negative impact on residents.

Among the items which Petrie removed from the initial proposed budget was adding a splashpad.

“We’ll have to look into it for next year,” Petrie said.

According to Petrie, there are a number of issues that need to be addressed in regards to the splashpad, including “insurance factors.”

Petrie asked Trustee Matt Chandler if he had got in touch with officials from the Village of Springville about their splashpad. Chandler said he called and left a message, but did not receive a return call.

“That’s going to be out for this year,” Petrie said.

This proposed budget also includes a deduction of nearly $5,700 for the clerk-treasurer’s office, Petrie said.

There would also be a cut in $2,000 for use at the village hall.

Plarr told the board one unknown factor at this point is trying to determine how much money should be budgeted for water use at the municipal building.

“We don’t know how much water is really used,” Plarr said, who noted Erie County took control of the water in the village last summer. “We were never metered.”

Petrie said among other items which would see a reduction include Central Data Processing, as well as a reduction in the police budget.

For the Village of Blasdell Police, there would be no raises, a $2,500 reduction on a loan and a $500 reduction in the uniform budget.

The Village Department of Public Works would see $700 less in its budget.

However, Perie said he did “put a little back in” for summer and winter help.

Under youth programs, Petrie’s proposed spending plan would include a $500 cut back on field trips. He is also is seeking a $600 reduction for seniors and gold majors.

Under Celebrations, Petrie told the board he was able to deduct $2,500.

“We got rid of Family Fun Day,” Petrie said.

Plarr told board members the village attracts larger crowds to its Halloween, Easter and Christmas celebrations.

“I think our holiday parties are second-to-none,” Plarr said.

However, she said Family Fun Day, which includes the cost of paying for a band to play, was not well attended. She said the village had double the attendance at the Halloween party alone and believes the money is better spent for functions such as that.

Chandler questioned what could be done to keep Family Fun Day.

Later in the meeting, Plarr said after pondering the question, she suggested an alternative, such as a family sports day, which would not involve the cost of a band or food.

Petrie said another area he wanted board direction on was acquiring a tractor for sidewalks.

“It’s a matter of what we want to do,” Petrie said.

On the revenue side, Petrie said $20,000 was added to the budget for non-property tax distribution.

Plarr also said she talked to Village Justice Daniel Grasso to ask what amount of money he would be comfortable in collecting for fines. She said the maximum he was comfortable with was $110, so as a result, an additional $2,000 was included on the revenue side.

One of the areas Trustee Rob Hefner asked further about was paying for a grant writer.

“We get a deal from Connie (Miner),” Petrie said. “I don’t think we can do without her.”

Hefner asked if it was possible to retain her on an as-needed basis.

Petrie responded that her services are in demand, as she is used by several local municipalities, including the Village of Hamburg and the City of Lackawanna.

Plarr told the board when she works on a Main Street Grant for the Village of Blasdell, she would be surprised if she puts less than 100 hours on the project.

She also does not charge additional for postage, mileage or paper, Plarr said.

“Can we push for more grants?” Hefner said. “I heard they are drying up. They may be non-existent within five years.”

Plarr noted one of her strengths is that she has a great group of contacts in Albany, and is widely regarded as one of the best grant writers around.

“Connie, I think, is a bargain,” Petrie said.

Trustee Lou McDonald, who recently attended a breakfast given by the Hamburg Industrustrial Development Agency, was told that she is among the best grant writers around.

“Unless you have a strong grant writer, we can’t get you in the door,” McDonald said he was told. “The competition for grants is so stiff.”

Petrie had to leave the meeting early to answer a call for the Blasdell Fire Department, so he asked McDonald, the deputy mayor, to tell other board members what areas would be cut in order to get the tax increase to zero percent.

It would include cutting brush pickup to once every two weeks.

There would be no sidewalks cleaned, summer and winter help would be cut, and village hall hours would be reduced.

“Zero was the target,” McDonald said, who added that children would also have less hours to go to playgrounds. “I think the devastation would be too much.”

Discussion also started on the possibility of reducing the clerk-treasurer position salary by 10 percent.

Plarr said that while she does not deal with water anymore, she has assumed additional responsibilities through the years, including serving as secretary to the mayor. Plarr had asked for a raise and told the board she only did so after another department “had the gall” to ask for one, which said she found insulting. “I was struggling with asking for an increase,” said Plarr.

Hefner, who had brought the idea before the board at the Feb. 1 meeting, asked that the discussion be tabled until the next meeting because he felt it was inappropriate to talk about it without Petrie present, as he had not returned from the fire department call he went to. As a result, they agreed to continue to talk at the Feb. 15 meeting.