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noracoombs
Citizen
Username: Noracoombs
Post Number: 24
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, September 17, 2003 - 6:07 pm: | 
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We all know by now that the S.O. BOT needs to take a serious look at how this town can save some money/generate revenue. So let's use this thread to come up with some creative suggestions.
Here's one idea: cut the publication of the Gaslight down to 4-6x a year, rather than the 10-12x it is now. I like the idea of the Gaslight, but honestly, between the Village website, News Record, and MOL, I'm already familiar with proably 75% of its contents by the time it arrives on my doorstep.
Also, I'd gladly support raising the pool fees. I'd have no probably paying 2 or even 3 times what we paid this summer. (What was it? $15? And I didn't even make it to the pool once!) It would still be a bargain compared to recreation fees of many other communities. |
growler
Citizen
Username: Growler
Post Number: 238
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 1:53 pm: |
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I'm going out on a limb here...stop offering PILOTs for developers. More money is needed now not later. |
CageyD
Citizen
Username: Cageyd
Post Number: 9
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 2:33 pm: |
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How about utilizing on line web registration for Rec and Cultural Affairs activities. Currently people wait in lines and the Baird needs at least two staff people there - one to process registrations the other to handle phone calls and other business matters. IF this type of activity was handled on the web we could probably eliminate a position at Baird. Likewise clerks at Town Hall - can some of their responsibilities (answering questions, processing applications) be handled through an intelligent web site? |
argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 79
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 3:04 pm: |
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There are no pool fees. The fee you pay is for the recreation pass and probably the people who staff Rec & Cultural Affairs are paid for by those fees, at least partially. I believe from somewhere that the pool itself is self-funded (ie, it has an endowment or something) and is not paid for through our taxes.
At the end of the day, this is a fun thread but unless we're looking at the budgets and balance sheets, this is all pure speculation as to whether any of this stuff would actually affect the bottom line.
Ultimately I think we need to increase commercial ratables. Perhaps the BOT could be more aggressive about marketing the town to businesses and about removing the barriers to entry, whatever they may be. We have too many vacant store fronts.
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vermontgolfer
Citizen
Username: Vermontgolfer
Post Number: 81
Registered: 12-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 18, 2003 - 3:10 pm: |
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growler,
While I'm not a 'tried and true' believer in PILOTs, each case needs to be examined on it's own merits. Frankly, I'm not sure granting or not granting a PILOT will make more money available now than later. If you believe what was presented at the PILOT meeting about a month ago, it would appear that the one PILOT we have is actually beneficial to the town.
Cost cutting is no fun and it's not easy, done lot's of it in the past, in fact once a part of cuts, but you have to bite the bullet and find as many expenses as possible to cut or reduce.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 621
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 4:50 pm: |
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Growler, as vermontgolfer points out, a PILOT could mean more revenue for the town, not less.
Argonsmythe is right about the "pool fees". In either case, I would not be in favor of raising them again, but I would like to find a way to get more people to purchase them including the suggestion of doing online registration.
To really effectively cut the budget, that means letting people go or not filling positions when people retire. Those can mean cuts in services, but we need to do a close review. Times change and sometimes the need for a specific person might not be needed any longer.
We do need to increase commercial ratables, but there are a lot of towns fighting for the same dollars. When Beifus is completed that will bring an increase. That project is closest but still two years before the village will recognize that revenue.
I am not sure what barriers are being talked about, but from the business owners I have talked to, the village is easy to work with and actually helped a few to speed up their openings.
One thing I cannot understand is that some people will park anywhere when at a mall, but when shopping in town, they expect a space right in front of a store. I often park in the NJ transit lots on weekends (and there are always spaces), yet I will see people waiting for a space on Sloan Street or parking illegaly rather than walk half a block. |
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