Bronxville Board Meeting: Unpaid Taxes at $1.5 Million, Updates On Snow Budget

The majority of the items at Monday night’s brief Board of Trustees meeting in Bronxville were announcements of upcoming meetings and events, but the most important matters all had to do with two themes:

“It’s all about snow and money,” said Mayor Mary C. Marvin. 

Prolific snow activity over the last few weeks has pushed clean-up spending about 50 percent beyond the amount set aside in the current budget. Uncollected taxes are also way beyond last year’s tally.

Village Administrator Harold Porr reported that $1,586,848.39 in taxes have gone unpaid as of Jan. 31, according to the Village Treasurer’s audit. At this same time last year, the figure was around $750,000. The current tax roll is available on the Village website.

A tax grievance night will be held on February 15. The Board approved plans to schedule a tax lien sale on March 16.

Budget Update: 

At the March 14 board meeting, there will  a presentation of the Village budget.

Trustee and Deputy Mayor Robert Underhill recapped some of the highlights of the finance committee meeting held Jan. 28. Underhill said the three points that came out of that meeting was the challenge of two years of zero percent increases in the Village budget; finding a strategy for the Village fund balance, the cushion set aside for unforeseen events; and major real estate issues such as the Kensington Road development.

“Maintaining a healthy fund balance is important,” said Underhill. “But it’s more important to budget accurately than aggressively.”

Underhill said that even though some financial analysts might consider a 20 percent fund balance, or spending cushion to be more ideal, the Village’s triple-A bond rating would be secure if the budget came in with a 12-14 percent range.

Snow Removal Costs: 

Trustee William Barton went into more detail about just how much money the Department of Public Works has spread around cleaning up snow.

“It’s around $154,000 at the moment,” Barton said, adding that was about 50 percent beyond the budget. “And winter is still under way.”

Salt supplies “are in pretty good shape” said Barton, but noted potholes may be a rut of concern for the DPW in the weeks to come. He encouraged residents to report the potential axle-benders.

The weather also resulted in lost parking meter fees for the Village. Poorman said that two more holidays from meter enforcement cost the Village about $2,000 each day. In Jan., the Village lost out on $6,000 in loose change from the meters.

Lighting a Top Priority:

Marvin said lighting in the village is “a front burner item.” Different systems including induction and LED are currently under consideration. Village Administrator Harold Porr said the poles for a traffic signal at the intersection of Kraft and Cedar have been ordered to alleviate traffic near St. Joseph’s Church and the A&P.

Police Updates:

During public comments, young resident Nicky Bender asked for more details about two recent felony burglaries in the Village. A suspect has been arrested after an attempted incident. According to Mayor Marvin, evidence on the scene of the other burglary case has led to the identification of a still-at-large suspect from Queens. Police are working with NYPD to arrest the individual identified through blood and thumbprint evidence. While the two recent incidents had been “disconcerting to all,” Marvin said the Bronxville Police Department has responded with additional unmarked car and plainclothes officer patrols.

Board Approvals and More:

• The Senior Citizens’ Council was granted permission to raffle off a Village Parking Permit for an upcoming fundraiser.

• Robert Shearer was appointed to a five-year term as Chair of the Board of Assessment Review starting in October 2010,

• Bronxville agreed to partner with 15 municipalities, led by Sleepy Hollow, for a state-funded $210,000 stormwater grant. The petition will require Bronxville Superintendent of Public Works to create an inventory of all the drains in the Village.

• Two public hearings were scheduled for next month’s meeting: adding prohibited parking in several locations including near Bronxville School and an update of state-mandated stormwater management controls.