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Babylon Village budget calls for modest spending increase in slower economy
Unofficial figures show that the Village is looking to spend $7,372,316 next year, an increase in spending from this year of approximately $81,305, or 1.1 percent. The budget, if approved, would increase the tax rate in the Village by 19-cents, from $10.22 to $10.41. That means that a home assessed at $4,000 would pay an additional $7.60 a year for Village taxes or a total of $416.40. "It is always a difficult thing to put together a fair budget that residents can afford, and keep the high level of services that they want," said Mayor Ralph Scordino. "TheV illage Board has worked with our new Treasurer, Valerie Fronzo, to pass along a fair increase, while still meeting the demands of new spending." Driving up costs this year are contractual salaries and payments to employee benefits, auditing fees, expenditures for bulkhead and equipment repairs and improvements to Village roads and drainage. Much of the increase is reflected by a reduction in anticipated fees collected for building permits, certificates of occupancy and others that are the result of the slowdown of the economy, explained Fronzo. Some of that was offset, however by a reduction in the Village's debt service as the Village has paid off several bonds over the past year. "We tried to ensure that we could continue to take care of some of the important things such as our streets and drainage and to be able to continue stormwater improvements," said Scordino. The budget also calls for an increase in salaries for the Mayor and Trustees. The Mayor will receive a $5,000 annual increase, bringing his annual salary to $15,000, and the Trustees a $2,500 increase, bringing their annual salaries to $7,500. The Village has not increased those salaries since 1987. In other business, the Village made its annual appointments: +Trustee Kevin Muldowney was named Deputy Mayor for one year; Joel Sikowitz was named Village attorney for one year; Patricia Carley was named Village Clerk and Receiver of Taxes for four years and Valerie Fronzo was appointed treasurer for four years. In addition, Jayne Barth was named Deputy Treasurer; Irene Ivanoff was named Deputy Village Clerk; Deborah Kempf was appointed Deputy Registrar; Patricia Broderick was named Deputy Court Clerk and Richard W. Krollage was appointed fire inspector for one year.
Alice Zaruka was named Village Historian and Timothy Dunn and Thomas Spreer were named Acting Village Justices for one year. Hugo Mascari was appointed Village Assessor.
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