Letters to the Editor - The Millerton News - 11-11-21

Thank you, voters

The Defending Amenia Team of returning town Supervisor Victoria Perotti, returning Councilman James Morris, and outgoing Councilwoman Michele Somogyi would like to thank everyone who voted for us in the General Election.

We are committed to being Advocates for Tax Fairness and protecting local Town of Amenia residents.

Victoria Perotti

Town Supervisor

Amenia

Voters, your confidence is appreciated

I would like to express my appreciation to friends and neighbors who voted for me in the recent election and elected me to serve another term on the North East Town Board.

During the 34 years that I have lived here, I’ve heard your concerns… rising taxes, preserving our beautiful rural environment, maintaining the essentials like police, fire and ambulance services while controlling expenses. I’ve listened to the left and to the right and have tried to find a consensus in the middle.

Your trust in me is greatly appreciated. I am honored and eager to serve.

Thanks!

Ralph Fedele

North East Councilman

Millerton

North East Fire District lowers increase in 2022 Budget

The North East Fire District at its workshop meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 2, came to a conclusion on its 2022 Budget after hearing from constituents in a public hearing two weeks prior.

Carefully considering the concerns over a proposed 64% increase in the budget and a 58% increase in the mill rate, the Board of Fire Commissioners opted to slim down the budget and stretch the needed increase across this and upcoming budgets.

Ultimately the board settled on a $51,800 decrease from the proposed budget, originally slated to be $692,805. The final budget as voted on by the board is $641,005. It is a 51.8% increase in the budget, resulting in a mill rate increase of 46.8% to .94 cents for every one thousand dollars of assessed value for a property.

The board took careful note of taxpayers’ concerns, sat down and looked at where we might be able to alleviate some of the shock in the increase.

As a board, we noted that the decrease in the finalized budget will be made up in coming years.

We also realized we have to be careful not to fall behind again in fiscally preparing for the future.

The original proposed increase and the finalized budget will allow the Fire District to begin preparing for the future, in which the board anticipates there will be a need for paid firefighters to work in tandem with volunteers to meet the communities emergency needs.

No one wants to see such dramatic increases, but to begin operating towards a level which will help prepare and ultimately have the funding for paid staffing is the driving force behind this finalized budget.

It is expected that within three to five years, the need for paid staff will arise. Each firefighter will have to be accounted for in the budget so they are provided a living wage, insurance and an environment that they can work in successfully.

North East Fire
District Chairman Stephen Valyou

North East

North East Fire District Vice Chairman
James Schultz

North East

Thank you, Amenia

I am pleased (but also surprised and humbled) to have been elected so decisively to the Amenia Town Board.

I learned a great deal from you as I walked around knocking on doors. Certainly many specific concerns were raised, but in general there seemed a frustration at not being listened or responded to by local government. At waiting, sometimes decades, for promised changes (housing, wastewater, jobs, growth, activities); Silo Ridge was supposed to change that, but hasn’t.

We need to come together as a community and work to make these things happen.

I am impatient by nature, so hope to bring some urgency and a view of what’s possible to my new job.

Leo Blackman

Amenia Councilman elect

Wassaic